Lupita Nyong’o and Wangechi Mutu Highlight Kenya’s Impact

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o once again captured international attention after being named among Forbes’ 20 Young Power Women in Africa (2013), a prestigious list celebrating influential African women shaping the continent and the world.

Lupita earned her place on the list alongside celebrated Kenyan-born artist and sculptor Wangechi Mutu, who lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Their inclusion highlighted Kenya’s growing impact in global arts, culture, and entertainment.

The Forbes list, published in partnership with Crazy Gossip, brought together trailblazers from diverse fields including fashion, politics, business, medicine, finance, and the creative arts. Below is the full list of the 20 Young Power Women in Africa (2013):

1. Folake Folarin Coker – Fashion Designer, Founder & CEO, Tiffany Amber Beauty (Nigeria)
2. Tara Fela Durotoye – Beauty Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO, House of Tara International (Nigeria)
3. Ola Orekunrin – Medical Doctor, Founder, The Flying Doctors (Nigeria)
4. Isabel dos Santos – Investor (Angola)
5. Mimi Alemayehou – Executive Vice President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) (Ethiopia)
6. Vera Songwe – Country Director, World Bank, Senegal (Cameroon)
7. Rapelang Rabana – Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO, Yeigo Communications (South Africa)
8. Claire Akamanzi – Chief Operating Officer, Rwanda Development Board (Rwanda)
9. Valentina da Luz Guebuza – Investor (Mozambique)
10. Hadeel Ibrahim – Executive Director, Mo Ibrahim Foundation (Sudan)
11. Alengot Oromait – Member of Parliament (Uganda)
12. Monica Musonda – Founder & CEO, Java Foods (Zambia)
13. Lindiwe Mazibuko – Politician & Parliamentary Leader, Democratic Alliance (South Africa)
14. Minoush Abdel-Meguid – Private Equity Investor, Entrepreneur & Investment Banker (Egypt)
15. Sibongile Sambo – Founder & CEO, SRS Aviation (South Africa)
16. Lupita Nyong’o – Actress and Filmmaker (Kenya)
17. Amini Kajunju – President & CEO, Africa-America Institute (Democratic Republic of Congo)
18. NoViolet Bulawayo – Author (Zimbabwe)
19. Wangechi Mutu – Artist and Sculptor (Kenya)
20. Angellah Kariuki – Politician (Tanzania)

The 2013 Forbes list underscored the rising influence of young African women and celebrated their leadership, innovation, and global impact across multiple sectors.

Lupita Nyong’o and Wangechi Mutu Highlight Kenya’s Impact