Anta Babacar Ngom, a 40-year-old business executive, is known for her advocacy for marginalized communities and her commitment to job creation. She has announced plans to establish a women’s bank to empower women economically. Ngom is making history as the first female presidential candidate in over a decade, although there are low expectations of her emerging as a leading contender.
Ngom serves as the CEO of Sedima, a prominent poultry production group in Senegal established by her father in the 1970s. Under her leadership, Sedima has diversified its operations, venturing into flour milling in 2014. In 2016, Ngom oversaw the inauguration of two new factories—an abattoir and a flour mill—with a total investment of $29 million. Sedima has expanded its reach to neighboring countries such as Mali, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Senegalese women have been actively involved in grassroots organizations since the 1990s, leading to significant progress in gender equality. The appointment of the first female prime minister in 2001 and a law mandating gender parity in electoral lists for political parties in 2010 have boosted female participation in politics. Although women have contested the presidency in the past, their impact has been modest. However, the increased representation of women in parliament, exceeding 40 percent, showcases substantial progress in Senegal’s political landscape.
