- Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history as Namibia’s first female president after securing 58% of the vote
- Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first female president, served two terms and became an influential global leader
- TheRadar compiled other African female leaders below
Throughout history, African women have faced numerous challenges, but their strength and leadership have often shone through in remarkable ways.
One such example is Namibia's recent swearing-in of its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Friday, March 21.
1. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah becomes Namibia's first female president
At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah assumed office after winning 58% of the vote in the 2024 elections.
In her inaugural address, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the historical significance of her election but emphasised that her success was due to competence and merit, not merely her gender.
She also recognised Namibia's progress since its independence but noted that much work remains to be done to address the country's challenges.
However, before Namibia's historic achievement, some African nations had also elected female leaders, setting a strong precedent for women in leadership roles across the continent.
Other female African presidents
TheRadar compiled a list of four other African countries that have previously elected women as president below:
2. Ethiopia: Sahle-Work Zewde (2018–2024)
Sahle-Work Zewde became the first female president of Ethiopia in October 2018, after being elected by the National Parliamentary Assembly. Before becoming president, she worked as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union and led the UN Office to the African Union.
3. Liberia: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2006–2018)
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first woman elected as president in Africa. She served two terms from 2006 to 2018. She ran for president in 1997 but lost to Charles Taylor. During her time in office, she also became the chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2016.
4. Mauritius: Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (2015–2018)
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim was the first female president of Mauritius. She became president in June 2015 after Kailash Purryag resigned. She was elected by the National Assembly, and her election was unanimous.
5. Malawi: Joyce Hilda Banda (2012–2014)
Joyce Hilda Banda became president of Malawi after the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika in 2012. She was the country’s fourth president and the first female vice president, serving from 2009 to 2012. In 2014, Forbes named her the 40th most powerful woman in the world and the most powerful woman in Africa.
Sam Nujoma, Nnamdi Azikiwe, 15 other first-ever presidents of African nations
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Sam Nujoma, the first democratically elected president of Namibia, serving from 1990 to 2005 passed away at the age of 95 in 2025.
TheRadar compiled the first presidents of some other African nations, focusing on West Africa.