Although the African continent comprises 54 countries, the number of women who have held the position of head of state in the history of Africa remains relatively limited, as a result of the accumulation of historical, cultural and political obstacles to women’s access to the highest executive positions.

However, the achievements of several female presidencies at the national and regional levels are considered a pivotal stage in the path of women's empowerment in African politics.

A challenging path and the reality of a shortage of female presidents

The CSIS International Policy Reports Foundation estimates that the continent has seen only a limited number of women as elected presidents or heads of state since the mid-1990s to the present day. In about three decades, only one woman has held the office of president through direct elections by the people: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia and Natumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Namibia.

In addition, many women have held temporary or transitional presidential positions in different countries, but most of these experiences were of limited duration.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first woman elected as head of state in Africa. She led Liberia after a devastating civil war, from 2006 to 2018, and devoted her efforts to reconstruction, peace and national reconciliation, which earned her the Nobel Peace Prize.

Joyce Banda in Malawi

Banda succeeded to the presidency in 2012–2014 after the death of her predecessor, becoming the first woman to officially lead Malawi. During her presidency, she focused on improving international relations and revitalizing the economy.

 Amina Gharib, a resident of Mauritius

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim was elected President of Mauritius during the period (2015–2018) in a historic move, and worked to promote the role of women in politics and society.

 Sahlore Zod in Ethiopia

The first woman to hold the presidency in Ethiopia (2018–2024), she has extensive international diplomatic experience and embodies an example of women's progress in top leadership positions within African countries with a complex political history.

 Natumbo Nandi-Ndaytwah in Namibia

The latest addition to the list of female presidents in Africa, Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected and represents a contemporary model of female leadership in the Southern African region.

 Samia Hassan: A pioneering career and challenges in leading Tanzania

A Tanzanian politician who has held the position of President of the Republic of Tanzania since March 19, 2021, making her the first woman in the country’s history to hold this position as the first President of Tanzania.

She began her political career in the late 1990s within the Zanzibar government, then steadily progressed until she became Vice President of Tanzania in 2015, before moving to the highest position in the country after the death of the former president.

She took over the leadership in difficult circumstances, as the country was still facing the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. From day one, she announced a different approach to dealing with the pandemic than her predecessor's policy, considering that a return to scientific and preventive cooperation was necessary to protect the health of citizens.

Samia Hassan sought to reopen Tanzania to the world after years of political isolation and pursued a more interactive international policy with the international community and neighbors. She participated in international exhibitions such as Expo 2020 to promote trade and attract investment and spoke at the United Nations as one of Africa’s most prominent leaders, emphasizing her country’s commitment to international reforms.

Among its notable achievements are restoring the status of civil society and lifting restrictions that were imposed on the media and society, lifting restrictions on education for girls, especially those who were deprived due to pregnancy, which contributed to expanding the circle of girls’ enrollment in schools, and economic policies that focused on strengthening the role of the private sector as an engine of growth and encouraging foreign investment.

Interim presidencies and executive positions for women

Besides elected presidents, women have held the position of head of state temporarily in several African countries, often during a transition of power or the death of the president, such as:

-Selfie Keneji in Burundi

-Ivy Matsibe-Kasaburi in South Africa

-Rose Francine Rogombé in Gabon and others who played politically significant transitional roles in sensitive times.

These experiences, despite their short duration in some cases, proved women's ability to bear the responsibilities of the state in difficult political circumstances.

Significance of achievements and their social and political impact

The experience of female presidents and leaders in Africa has proven that women are not only partners in executive governance, but are also capable of leading countries and achieving tangible accomplishments in the security, development and peace sectors.

The periods of leadership of these women witnessed a focus on issues of social justice and women's empowerment, in addition to promoting national dialogue, although the path of political empowerment for women still faces strong challenges in most African countries.

 Empowerment and expanding participation

While some countries are increasing women’s quotas in parliaments and appointing more women to senior executive positions, the path to the presidency through direct election remains an ambitious goal that still needs institutional support and strong legislation.

Although the number of female presidents in African countries is relatively small, the women who have reached the pinnacle of power have emerged as models of wise and flexible leadership in highly complex environments. In contrast, the continent is witnessing sustained progress in women’s political representation, ministerial positions, heads of government, and more female parliamentarians, paving the way for an era of greater gender balance in African high politics.