Nandi-Ndaitwah makes TIME100 global list

American news magazine Time has named President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to the 2026 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s life reflects a powerful, often overlooked truth: African women were central to the struggle against colonial rule. As a young woman, she left her home to join Namibia’s liberation movement in exile, helping to secure independence and shape a vision of a democratic nation grounded in dignity, equality, and shared prosperity.

She has faithfully carried that vision into national leadership, serving in senior roles, including foreign minister, which culminated in her election as Namibia’s first female president. Today, she is breaking barriers for African women and women globally, leading an inclusive government where women hold the highest offices.

On the global stage, she has been a consistent and respected voice from the Global South, advancing equity and justice through key international agreements, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on women’s rights, and helping to shape a more just, safe and equitable world. Whether as a liberation fighter or president, Nandi-Ndaitwah embodies courage, conviction and transformative leadership.

This profile was published in Time magazine's TIME 100 edition.

The full list and accompanying tributes appear in the April 27, 2026, issue of TIME.

* Winnie Byanyima is the executive director of UNAIDS.