The center launched its flagship program, the Amujae Initiative, at the Farmington Hotel in
Margibi County on
International Women's Day in March 2020. 'Amujae' means "we are going up" in Liberian dialect, and the initiative aims to prepare women for promotion to leadership positions across Africa. In 2020,
Joyce Banda of
Malawi and
Catherine Samba-Panza of
Central African Republic helped Johnson Sirleaf with the Amaujae Initiative, 15 women were chosen as the inaugural cohort of participants to receive mentorship. •
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP, doctor and activist •
Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Cabinet minister and lawyer •
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of
Freetown •
Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the
Nigerian Ports Authority •
Oley Dibba-Wadda, president and CEO of the Gam Africa Institute for Leadership (GAIL) •
Kula Fofana, president of People's Foundation Africa •
Yawa Hansen-Quao, executive director and social entrepreneur •
Malado Kaba, Guinea's first female finance minister •
Cornelia Kruah-Togba, NGO founder, public servant and women's advocate •
Fadzayi Mahere, lawyer, advocate, lecturer and political leader •
Aida Alassane N'Diaye-Riddick, development expert and public servant •
Angela Nwaka, nurse, consultant, legislator and NGO director •
Jumoke Oduwole, academic, government advisor, and advocate •
Upendo Furaha Peneza, MP and advocate •
Blen Sahilu, human rights lawyer and gender expert In 2021, 15 women across 11 African countries were chosen: •
Teju Abisoye, development expert, lawyer and youth advocate •
Farida Bedwei, tech entrepreneur and disability rights advocate •
Dagmawit Moges Bekele, Minister of Transport and Member of House of People's Representatives •
Susan Grace Duku, activist and refugee advocate • Dr.
Yakama Manty Jones, economist, lecturer, entrepreneur and philanthropist •
Isata Kabia, social entrepreneur, former MP and Minister •
Bogolo Kenewendo, economist, former Minister and gender and youth activist •
Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister and communications & IT expert •
Angèle Makombo, political advisor and party leader •
Fatoumatta Njai, Parliamentarian, Women's Leadership Advocate •
Ifeyinwa Maureen Okafor, government advisor and corporate director •
Umra Omar, humanitarian, community development strategist and gubernatorial candidate • Dr.
Adaeze Oreh, Doctor, healthcare advocate and author •
Telia Urey, businesswoman, politician and activist •
Anne Waiguru, economist and governor of
Kirinyaga County. 2023 saw the third cohort which included: •
Sona Traore Sesay Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services, Former Executive Director •
Seregbe Keita Public Policy Analyst, and Development Expert •
Fatou Jagne Senghore led
Article 19’s work in West Africa •
Joanah Mamombe MP, biologist •
Chilando Nakalima Chitangala mayor of Lusaka, Zambia •
Chipokota Mwanawasa Presidential policy adviser •
Emma Inamutila Theofelus lawyer, member of Parliament, and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology •
Gladys Wanga Governor of Homa Bay County •
Grace Ayensu-Danquah MP, Professor and Deputy Minister of Health •
Joyce Chitsulo MP, Deputy Minister •
Moriah Kou Dwehde Yeakula lawyer, women’s rights activist •
Peggy Onkutlwile Serame Minister of Finance The fourth cohort, announced in 2025, contained thirteen women including: •
Sahar Albazar, women's issues activist •
Kanungwe Chota Kanyanyamina Kanchibiya Town mayor ==References==