Breaking the Boys’ Club: The Rise of Women in African Politics

For decades, African politics has been a domain dominated by men, with women often relegated to the sidelines of decision-making. But a growing number of countries how now experienced female leadership, including Liberia, Malawi and most recently Namibia. With President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah becoming the country’s first female head of state and assembling a cabinet where women hold the majority of ministerial positions, Namibia has set a historic precedent. This moment signifies much more than symbolism; it signals a broader and hopeful shift in the continent’s political landscape, one that may pave the way for future gender equality in governance. Could Namibia be a harbinger of a wider trend across Africa? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.

Namibia is not alone in challenging the traditional power structures that have long kept women out of high political office. In recent years, countries like Tanzania and Ethiopia have also seen women rise to top leadership roles. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in 2021 after the death of President John Magufuli, has already made significant strides in reshaping the country’s political and economic trajectory. However, it is important to note that she, like Malawi’s former President Joyce Banda, assumed office not through an electoral mandate but through constitutional succession. This pattern raises important questions about the actual commitment of ruling parties to gender equality when women are not fielded as primary candidates.

Ethiopia, too, made headlines when it appointed Sahle-Work Zewde as its first female president in 2018. However, her role is largely ceremonial, with executive power residing in the hands of the Prime Minister. The symbolism was nonetheless profound: Ethiopia, with a strong and evolving gender inclusivity agenda, demonstrated the potential for women’s leadership to drive social and economic change in East Africa, albeit within institutional limits.

That puts Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in a group of just two – alongside Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – as African women who won control of their country’s government via the ballot box.

Beyond the presidency, women’s representation in African parliaments has surged. Rwanda now leads the world in gender parity, with women holding more than 60 percent of seats in the legislature. Other nations, such as South Africa, Senegal, and Morocco, have implemented gender quotas to increase female representation in political offices, thus institutionalizing women’s participation in governance. These efforts suggest that Namibia’s move toward a gender-balanced cabinet is not an isolated example but part of a broader, continent-wide shift toward gender equity in African politics.

In the case of Namibia, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s rise is the result of both her own long-standing political career and internal party dynamics within the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO). A veteran of the liberation struggle and a seasoned diplomat, Nandi-Ndaitwah has held several ministerial roles, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Her ascension to the presidency was not abrupt; she was endorsed by SWAPO as its presidential candidate in 2023 after a carefully managed succession process.

Importantly, as Namibian scholars note, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s political conservatism on several key issues, including women’s rights, positioned her as a non-threatening figure to existing gender relations. This ideological positioning helped her secure broader backing within SWAPO’s traditionalist ranks, highlighting how women leaders sometimes succeed not by challenging the status quo, but by aligning with it. This internal party mechanism reflects both her stature within SWAPO and the party’s broader efforts to address gender imbalances, even if such moves are not without controversy within the party’s traditional power bases.

The momentum is palpable. However, the road to true gender parity in politics remains challenging. Women continue to face systemic barriers, including party gatekeeping, financial constraints, and ingrained cultural biases that view leadership as the domain of men. Political parties in many African countries are still largely controlled by male-dominated networks, which dictate the nomination process for leadership positions. Even when women break through these barriers, they often find themselves subjected to intense scrutiny and criticism, often facing sexist attacks both in media and political discourse.

Moreover, the presence of women in high office does not automatically translate into transformative change for women on the ground. The record of prominent African women leaders such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Joyce Banda, and Samia Suluhu Hassan is mixed. While these leaders have made significant contributions, critics argue that the structural and institutional constraints they faced often limited their ability to implement a robust feminist policy agenda. This raises a critical question: does the symbolic victory of electing or appointing a woman truly translate into substantive change?

Public perception plays a critical role in shaping women’s political trajectories. Afrobarometer data reveals significant variations in public support for women’s political leadership across African countries. For instance, in Liberia, 78 percent believe women should have the same chance as men to be elected to public office, though 65 percent acknowledge that women are likely to face criticism or harassment, and 54 percent think they may encounter familial challenges. In Mozambique, 70 percent of citizens support equal opportunities, but 57 percent foresee harassment and 51 percent cite potential family obstacles.

In South Africa, 81 percent advocate for equal chances for women to be elected, yet 59 percent believe women candidates are likely to face public criticism. Ghana mirrors this support with 72 percent backing women in politics, although 24 percent still believe men make better leaders, and 42 percent anticipate female candidates will face harassment. Meanwhile, North African countries like Egypt and Sudan show notably lower support at 42 percent, with Algeria trailing at just 36 percent, reflecting deeply entrenched patriarchal norms.

These statistics underscore that, despite a general trend toward supporting gender equality in political leadership, significant societal and cultural barriers persist in many African countries. Afrobarometer’s surveys also suggest that exposure to female political leadership can gradually shift public opinion in favor of gender equality. However, this is not a uniform process. In countries that have had female presidents or high-profile women in leadership, it would be worthwhile to investigate whether support for female candidates increased, decreased, or remained stagnant over time.

Interestingly, emerging research suggests that the experience of having a female leader can indeed shift public attitudes over time. For instance, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s 2025 Public Opinions on Governance in Africa report notes that public perception of female leadership on the continent has improved by 14.5 points over the past decade, though this progress is uneven across countries. In Morocco, for example, public perception has actually declined despite improvements in women’s political representation, highlighting that institutional gains do not always immediately translate into social or cultural acceptance. This suggests that while women’s presence in high office can contribute to changing attitudes, it is not a guarantee, and sustained efforts are needed to reinforce shifts in public opinion.

Ultimately, the growing presence of women in African politics is a development worthy of both celebration and scrutiny. Symbolism matters, but so does substance. As more women rise to positions of power, the true test will be whether their leadership results in lasting, inclusive policies that dismantle the deeply entrenched barriers faced by women across the continent. Namibia’s bold step may be just the beginning, but it must be backed by an unwavering commitment to structural transformation if it is to herald a new era of inclusive governance in Africa.

Kevin D. Mofokeng is a writer and civic leader dedicated to using impactful storytelling to amplify African voices and advocate for social justice and development.