Amina Mohamed, Chair of Global Women Leaders (GWL), recently spoke about why this election matters so much. GWL is an organisation representing 77 women leaders from 42 countries, all committed to pushing for gender equality in major international institutions.
“The AfDB is one of 19 global organisations that have never had a female President,” Mohamed said. “This is a unique opportunity, not just to break the glass ceiling but to bring fresh, inclusive leadership that Africa urgently needs.”
GWL’s latest report, Women in Multilateralism, examines the gender makeup of senior leadership across global bodies and highlights a striking lack of women in these roles. Mohamed stressed that the time for change is now.
“It’s not just about fairness, it’s about smart leadership,” she said. “Women bring empathy, resilience, collaboration, and a visionary outlook. These qualities are exactly what the AfDB needs to tackle Africa’s biggest challenges.”
From sustainable development to peace and security, Mohamed believes a woman president could offer a new perspective, connecting better with communities and delivering impactful results. “Seeing a woman lead the AfDB would inspire millions of young African women to believe there’s no limit to their ambitions.”
She also pointed out that qualified women are ready to lead, the issue is that institutions have yet to give them the chance. “We need to move beyond awareness and take action. It’s time to break old patterns and welcome new leadership styles.”
Mohamed highlighted examples of strong female leaders in Africa, like Namibia’s and Tanzania’s presidents, as well as global figures such as Helen Clark and Irina Bokova, who have proven that women can lead with strength and vision.
As the AfDB approaches its election, Mohamed and GWL are hopeful that this historic opportunity will be seized, signalling a new chapter of inclusive, dynamic leadership on the continent.
“The question isn’t whether a woman can lead the AfDB,” she said. “It’s why it hasn’t yet and how her leadership could drive real, positive change.”
--ChannelAfrica--
