Namibia continues to make global headlines for its strides in increasing the number of women in positions of power and closing the gender gap. At this year’s United Nations General Assembly, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndiatwah highlighted that 57 percent of her cabinet is female. Her remarks underscore Namibia’s leadership in gender inclusion across key ministries. The African Exponent spotlights nine other African countries that have made similar progress as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Sahle-Work Zewde discuss how women in leadership transforms societies.

Raila Amollo Odinga, Kenya’s longest-serving opposition leader and a pivotal figure in the country’s political history, passed away last week. He was instrumental in advancing multiparty democracy, the 2010 constitution, and social justice. Prof. Ken Opalo and Marcus Olang’ describe his influence in politics and economics as both admirable and complex. Loved by the masses for his charisma and oratory, Raila will be remembered as “the people’s president.”

• Zimbabwe’s NoVoilet Bulawayo won the 2025 Caine Prize for African Writing. Prof. Tinashe Mushakavanhu discusses why her win is timely for the award’s continuity and evolution.
• Nigerian art curator Adegbola is preserving the Yoruba people’s tradition of carving ère ìbejì, twins who hold significant spiritual and social meaning within the community.
• Egypt has appointed 48 female judges to its State Council via the express-entry pathway, building on a 2021 milestone when 100 women were first appointed to the judiciary.
• Morocco and Madagascar have joined the growing list of African countries where youth are using protests to express discontent with structural governance issues and to demand more accountability from political elites. Africa is a Country argues that these protests are a continuation of the cycle of unrest from the 2010s.

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Image: Tribute to the Late Raila Omolo Odinga, former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader of Kenya. 17 October 2025. Photo Credit: Baal Nyelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.