The Benchmark

Africa’s next generation is being invested in. The African Development Bank, Government of Angola, and European Union have launched the $125 million Crescer Project, designed to train 97,000 youth, boost 10,000 businessess and create almost 150,000 jobs. With half of all beneficiaries being women, this is a major step toward inclusive, youth-driven growth. #TheBenchmarkAfrica #YouthEntrepreneurship #AfDB #CrescerProject #WomenInBusiness #AfricaRising #InvestingInYouth

Dr. Shikoh Gitau is driving a new wave of inclusive, home-grown digital transformation, one that prioritises local solutions, builds capacity and ensures technology truly serves people through Qhala, her Nairobi-based innovation firm. Read more about her inspiring work and impact. https://lnkd.in/enk-zZqN #TheBenchmark #ShikohGitau #Qhala #WomenInTech #DigitalTransformation #TechInnovation #AfricanLeadership #InclusiveTech #Kenya #STEM #Technology #Leadership #Innovation #Impact #AfricaRising

Many women wear multiple hats, mother, entrepreneur, leader, CEO. But can women truly achieve a healthy work–life balance in today’s world, especially those juggling motherhood and leadership roles?🤔 💬 Tell us what you think in the comment. #TheBenchmarkConversations #WomenAtWork #WorkLifeBalance #WomenInLeadership #TheBenchmarkAfrica

Across Kenya’s drylands, Lucy Wangari is transforming the future of sustainable agriculture. As the founder of Onion Doctor Ltd, she is transforming arid lands into thriving onion farms through climate-smart irrigation, innovation, and youth inclusion, empowering smallholder farmers while closing Kenya’s onion supply gap. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eahucnDp #TheBenchmark #LucyWangari #SustainableAgriculture #WomenInAgriculture #AfricanInnovation #ClimateAction #FoodSecurity #Kenya #Leadership #Impact #YouthInAgriculture

At just twenty-one, while Libya was caught in the chaos of war, Alaa Murabit chose not to run for safety, she chose to lead. As a physician, peacebuilder and gender advocate, she has transformed health and equality systems for millions, directing global investments, advising world leaders and ensuring women’s voices are central to peace and progress. Read more here https://lnkd.in/eyHSa6ub #AlaaMurabit #WomenInLeadership #GlobalHealth #Peacebuilding #GenderEquality #AfricanWomen #WomenInPolicy #TheBenchmarkAfrica

Once a banker in Europe, today a global force in fashion, Adama Amanda Ndiaye, better known as Adama Paris ADAMA PARIS, is redefining what it means to create “Made in Africa.” Through her label, Dakar Fashion Week and Black Fashion Week events across Paris, Montreal and beyond, she is giving African designers a powerful global stage. Her mission is about empowering women, sustaining local artisans and proving that Africa’s creativity belongs at the heart of the world’s fashion conversation. Read more about how Adama is taking African fashion global here: https://lnkd.in/ewkXENWh #AdamaParis #AfricanFashion #WomenInBusiness #CreativeEconomy #FashionLeadership #MadeInAfrica #WomenEmpowerment #DakarFashionWeek #BlackFashionWeek #AfricanCreatives #TheBenchmarkAfrica #FashionInnovation #SustainableFashion #AfricanWomenInLeadership

Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges in Fintech Through PayOnUs, Onyinye Olisah is changing how African businesses connect, trade and thrive across borders. Her work is simplifying cross-border payments, expanding digital access and promoting financial inclusion for entrepreneurs across the continent. Having started her journey in traditional banking, Onyinye now leads one of Africa’s rising fintech startups, proving that innovation can turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth. Read more about how she is shaping Africa’s digital finance future on 👉 https://lnkd.in/eg4iPMRq #TheBenchmark #WomenInTech #Fintech #FinancialInclusion #DigitalInnovation #AfricaRising #WomenInFinance #Impa ctLeadership

Money shouldn’t be intimidating, it should be empowering. Through her platform, Money Bestie AI, Jenny Okpechi is transforming the way women and young people understand money, making financial literacy more relatable, accessible and inspiring. She is breaking down barriers to financial knowledge, boosting confidence and investing know-how across Africa through innovative tech-driven solutions, and inspiring a brighter economic future. Read more about how she is redefining financial literacy through innovation and community learning on 👉 https://lnkd.in/eF8vRcPt #TheBenchmark #WomenInFinance #MoneyBestieAI #FinancialLiteracy #TechForGood #WomenInTech #Impact #Innovation

Natascha Viljoen, currently transitioning to become Newmont Corporation’s first female CEO in January 2026, continues to set new standards for leadership in the global mining industry. Having led Anglo American Platinum to remarkable growth and operational excellence, she now steps into a global role that reflects her resilience, depth, and transformative leadership. Her journey embodies progress, proving that women aren’t just participating in the mining industry, they’re shaping its future Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eEQD4mEd https://lnkd.in/eae-QY4y #WomenInLeadership #MiningIndustry #Leadership #BreakingBarriers #Newmont #NataschaViljoen #Innovation #GlobalLeadership #TheBenchmark

Growing up in a single-parent home after her father’s passing, Ifeoma Uddoh understood early how financial access could change the course of a woman’s life. Today, as the founder of Shecluded, Nigeria’s first fintech platform for women’s financial growth and inclusion, she is redefining how women access credit, build wealth, and gain confidence in their financial journey. Starting from PwC and rising to lead one of Africa’s most transformative startups for women, Ifeoma is proving that women don’t just participate in the economy, they redefine it. #WomenInFinance #FinancialInclusion #Leadership #Innovation #Impact #Shecluded #TheBenchmarkWomen #AfricanWomenInBusiness #Fintech #WomenEmpowerment