From Lagos to Nairobi, these women are Africa’s key influencers.
Clearly from the number of followers they each have on social media, millions will agree. Traversing industries like media and film to technology philanthropy, these women show us that #africanwomenrock and always will.
Betty Richoux and Ornella Mayassi
Country: Senegal/Angola/DRC/France
Twitter: @tylashow , Snapchat: @TYLAGANG , Youtube: TYLA
These two francophone beauties—business partners and best friends—are the hosts of the popular Youtube talk show YTLA. Richoux, an image consultant, and Mayassi, a stylist, both have social media pages teeming with envy-inducing style moments. If you’re looking to brush up on your French, these two are the perfect follow to do so (luckily for the rest of us, there are subtitles).
Ory Okolloh Mwangi
Country: Kenya
Twitter: @kenyanpundit, Instagram: @kenyanpundit
Named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine in 2014, Ory Okolloh Mwangi is a force in the East Africa social media sphere. Currently the head of investment at Omidyar Network, she is the former Policy Manager in Africa for Google, and co-founder of Ushahidi and Mzalendo. But her biggest influence can be seen on Twitter, where she can spur debates and conversations with a single tweet. A proud mother of three, she is determined to build the next generation of strong African women who will succeed her as major movers and shakers.
Minenhle “Minnie” Dlamini
Country: South Africa
Twitter: @MinnieDlamini, Instagram: @MinnieDlamini, Snapchat: @MinnieDlamini
With an infectious laugh and the figure of Jessica Rabbit, Minnie Dlamini is one of South Africa’s most renowned media queens. The 26-year-old first came into popularity in 2010 when she was picked to host LIVE, a popular South African music show, and has been a fixture on the media scene ever since. This summer you can find her hosting the E! Africa red carpet for the South African Music Awards or filling up at Madiba, the Brooklyn-based South African eatery in New York.
Vanessa Mdee
Country: Tanzania
Twitter: @VanessaMdee, Instagram: @VanessaMdee
The first MTV VJ out of Tanzania, Vanessa Mdee, also known as Vee Money, is one of the most famous artists out of East Africa. Naturally cheeky with an edgy sense of style, the East African beauty can be found hosting gigs or gracing stages all over the continent.
Linda Ikeji
Country: Nigeria
Twitter: @LindaIkeji, Instagram: @LindaIkeji
Linda Ikeji could easily be considered the queen of African gossip thanks to the popularity of her eponymous blog. Launched in 2006, her rise to prominence coincided with the rise of internet gossip in Nigeria. Now that millions of visitors click in to catch her blog posts, there’s talk that she’s in the process of diversifying her brand into other arenas.
