DR Congo Appoints First Female Prime Minister: A Trend Of Women Leaders Across Africa

Suminwa served as President Tshisekedi's Minister of Planning since 2023.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has appointed Judith Suminwa as its first female Prime Minister, adding to a growing list of female political heads on the African continent.

Suminwa’s historic appointment by DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi as the premier of the Central African nation was announced on April 1 and she is said to have assumed office on the same day, the DR Congo presidency announced on social media.

According to the official announcement, Suminwa served as President Tshisekedi’s Minister of Planning since 2023. “This act reinforces the positive masculinity advocated by President Félix Tshisekedi,” they wrote.

Before her government roles, Suminwa served as an economist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she held the role of coordinator for the Consolidation of Peace and Strengthening of Democracy pillar in Kinshasa, the national capital of DR Congo.

“I know that the task is great and the challenges immense. But with the support of the President of the Republic and that of everyone, we will get there,” the new DR Congo Prime Minister told reporters following her appointment.

She will head a new cabinet after the dissolution of the previous cabinet following the resignation of Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde as prime minister on February 20.

Suminwa’s achievement is part of a larger trend across Africa, where women are assuming pivotal roles in policymaking and social reform.

Sahle-Work Zewde

In Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde made history as the first female president, embodying the spirit of progress and inclusivity. On October 25, 2018, she achieved a unanimous election as president by members of the Federal Parliamentary Assembly. Before her ascension to the presidency, Zewde was the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) from 2011 to 2018. She was subsequently appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as his Special Representative to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union.

Samia Suluhu Hassan

Samia Suluhu Hassan is the first Tanzanian woman and the second woman from the East African region to serve as president. She has served as president of Tanzania since March 19, 2021, after the sudden demise of her predecessor, John Magufuli. She was also the vice president of the country from 2015 to 2021.

Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula

Although she is the fifth female speaker of South Africa’s parliament, Rt. Hon. Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula has made her mark in the country’s legislative arm of government. She took office on August 19, 2021, and has since been an influential figure in South African politics. Her tenure as Speaker is marked by her commitment to uphold the democratic processes and her call for unity and integrity in the administration of parliamentary duties.