President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been named to the 2026 TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people.
The list, published by TIME magazine, recognises individuals shaping the global agenda through impact, innovation and achievement.
In a tribute, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership reflects the often overlooked role African women played in liberation struggles. She noted that the President joined Namibia’s independence movement in exile and helped shape a vision of a democratic state founded on dignity, equality and shared prosperity.
The tribute also highlights her rise from liberation activist to senior government leader, including her tenure as Foreign Minister, before becoming Namibia’s first female President. She now leads an inclusive government and continues to advocate for women’s empowerment.
On the international stage, Nandi-Ndaitwah is recognised as a voice for the Global South, advancing equity and justice through multilateral platforms, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Her inclusion on the TIME100 list reflects her role in promoting Namibia’s development priorities, strengthening democratic governance and advancing inclusive economic growth, while raising the country’s profile globally.
