What does it mean for women to have a seat at the decision-making table if they remain powerless once they get there?
In her contribution to Women in Geopolitics, Hon. Prof. NomaFrench Mbombo delivers a compelling call for African women to move beyond representation towards meaningful participation, influence and leadership.
Reflecting on Africa’s political and economic journey, she argues that the continent must also look inward and take greater responsibility for the leadership choices, governance systems and economic structures that continue to hold back its progress.
From weak intra-African trade and inadequate connectivity between African countries to the export of the continent’s mineral resources without sufficient local beneficiation, Prof. Mbombo challenges Africa to think differently about its own development.
But at the centre of her message is the role of women.
For Prof. Mbombo, being invited into spaces of power is not enough. Women must use those spaces to influence policy, advance economic and social transformation, and ensure that issues affecting women, families and communities remain part of the decision-making agenda.
Her message to women is unequivocal:
“Make sure that you sit at those decision-making tables. Not only sitting, but open your mouth — they must feel your presence.”
She further challenges women to create their own platforms and tables where necessary, become more intentional about strategic networks, and not be afraid to knock on doors traditionally dominated by men.
As Africa navigates a changing geopolitical environment, Prof. Mbombo reminds us that political leadership matters — because ultimately, policies determine who participates in the economy, who benefits from development and who gets left behind.
For African women, therefore, the challenge is no longer simply to get to the table.
It is to have a voice, exercise influence and help shape the decisions that determine Africa’s future.
Women in Geopolitics, Amplifying the Voices Shaping Africa’s Future.
The Women in Geopolitics Debate Series is a high-level thought-leadership platform dedicated to amplifying African voices, particularly women’s voices, in conversations on geopolitics, global affairs, governance, leadership and development.
Through dialogue with women leaders, diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, academics and experts from across Africa and beyond, the programme is building a growing archive of African women’s perspectives on the issues shaping our continent and our world.
We invite you to visit the Women in Geopolitics Knowledge Hub on YouTube, explore previous conversations and subscribe as we unveil a new voice every day throughout August:
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Madelein Mkunu is the President of Leading Women of Africa (LWA), a Pan-African social enterprise promoting women's leadership in economic development, and the founder of Beyond Boundaries, a global content and advocacy platform amplifying African women’s voices in policy, peacebuilding, and development. A bilingual English–French strategist and accomplished public speaker, she brings over 20 years of experience in gender mainstreaming, inclusive governance, and stakeholder engagement across Africa and globally. She holds an MBA and a Master’s in Management from IEDC-Bled School of Management (Slovenia), a Postgraduate Degree in Development Studies from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), a Certificate in Leadership from the Dale Carnegie Institute, and is an alumna of Michigan State University’s Women Empowerment Programme. With a background in accounting and a passion for transformative change, Madelein is a trusted advisor to institutions seeking Africa-rooted development solutions.
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