World Trade Organisation chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and media executive Mo Abudu have been included in Forbes’ 2025 ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
The annual ranking, released on Wednesday, recognises women shaping global business, politics, technology and culture.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, who has led the WTO since 2021 as its first female and first African director-general, was placed 92nd on the list.
She previously served as Nigeria’s finance minister between 2003 and 2006 and again from 2011 to 2015 and briefly as foreign minister in 2006.
Before joining the WTO, she spent more than two decades at the World Bank, rising to managing director for operations from 2007 to 2011.
She also chaired the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Forbes noted her long career across several regions and her role in promoting trade as a tool for economic growth in developing countries. She was ranked 89th on the list in 2024 and 87th in 2023.
Mrs Abudu, founder of EbonyLife Media, was ranked 98th.
EbonyLife TV, launched in 2006, broadcasts in more than 49 countries, including the UK and the Caribbean.
Under her leadership, the company has signed content partnerships with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks and Netflix, becoming the first African media house to secure a multi-title agreement with the streaming platform.
In November, EbonyLife introduced a new digital platform, EbonyLife ON Plus, available on Google Play and Apple App Store.
Abudu, who was born in London and spent part of her early years in Nigeria, is known for her work in film, television and the creative sector.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, topped the 2025 ranking.
She was followed by European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde, Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi, Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum and Accenture chair and CEO Julie Sweet.
Other figures on the list include AMD CEO Lisa Su, Alphabet’s Ruth Porat, Microsoft’s Amy Hood, Meta CFO Susan Li, Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei and US media personality Kim Kardashian.
The list also featured the women of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters at number 100.
