Mo Abudu is Forbes Africa’s Most Successful Woman

Executive Chairman and CEO of Ebony Life TV, Africa’s first Global Black 

Entertainment and Lifestyle network, Mo Abudu was announced on Thursday 

1 January, 2015 by Forbes as Africa’s Most Successful Woman of The 

Year.

Mo, who has been described by international news outlets as ‘Africa’s 

Africa’, is keen in her resolve to rewrite Africa’s story.

In a recent interview with Mfonobong Nsehe of Forbes, she recounts her 

entrepreneurial journey and reflects on the lessons she has learned 

along the way.

Speaking on her entrepreneurial journey and lessons she has learned 

along the way, she said “This kind of afro-pessimism simply fuelled a 

burning, deep-seated desire in my subconscious to one day help to 

rewrite the African story; to get people to talk about the issues that 

affect our society and to tell the African narrative in a contemporary 

and interesting way; to change the perception the world had of us; to 

let the world know that in spite of our challenges as a developing 

continent, Africans are not a bunch of savages but mostly a breed of 

gifted and remarkable people.”

Also recently honoured with a Doctorate degree at Babcock University, 

spoke at MIPCOM 2014's Global Channel Distribution Day at Auditorium 

Esterel, Palais des Festivals.

“Anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur must know that bright ideas are 

great, however, they are not even half of the work; execution is 

everything. Yes, as the saying goes, ‘there is nothing more powerful 

than an idea whose time has come’, but when that time comes, you must be 

prepared to bleed sweat, tears and blood to bring your ideas to life.” 

Mo Abudu responded, when asked to give an advice to people who will like 

to follow her entrepreneurial footsteps.

She continued saying, “For women, never ever see your gender as a 

handicap. Never think yourself inferior. Be ready to do twice the work 

for half the usual reward. When the door isn’t opened, kick down the 

door. Take the regular harassment and other obstacles women face in 

stride. In fact, be prepared for them. Be prepared to be told off, to be 

told you are not good enough, to go unrewarded for even doing the same 

work your male counterpart has done. Work with your passion, let it 

consume and drive you. Do not be distracted. On down days, it will keep 

you going. Also, surround yourself with like minds. In fact, you should 

exhaustively curate those who will go along with you on your journey. I 

can’t say that enough.”

Other women who have been listed in past are Divine Ndhlukula, Founder 

and Managing Director of SECURICO, one of Zimbabwe’s largest security 

companies, Khanyi Dhlomo, a 36- year-old South African media mogul, 

unconventional visionary, and a builder of big dreams.

Check here to read full interview: 

About Mo Abudu

Mo Abudu is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV, 

Africa's first Global Black Entertainment and Lifestyle Network. The 

channel currently airs pan African on DSTV Channel 165, as well as in 

the UK on the TalkTalk platform, providing premium, original and 

home-grown programming to its ever increasing viewership.

 In recognition of her outstanding work in diverse fields especially in the field of 

media and her service to humanity, she has been honoured with many 

laurels including the Awards by Forbes Media recognising her as the 

first African woman to launch a Pan-African TV channel; Entrepreneur of 

the year by Women Werk in New York; 25 Most Powerful women in Global TV 

by the Hollywood Reporter amongst many other awards. Most recently, she 

was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) from 

Babcock University.

Congrats to her!