Power, Purpose & Prestige: 3 West African Female Lawyers Shaping Global Legal Landscapes
By May Mens - Legal Africa Magazine
In the ever-evolving terrain of law and justice, West African women are no longer just breaking glass ceilings they are replacing them with skylights. Today, a new generation of female lawyers from the region is rewriting the global legal narrative with vision, excellence, and impact. Meet three of the most powerful West African female lawyers who are commanding respect not just in courtrooms at home but on legal stages around the world.
1. Fatou Bensouda (The Gambia): The Global Prosecutor Who Held the World Accountable
When it comes to international justice, few names resonate louder than Fatou Bensouda. A Gambian lawyer and former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Bensouda has become an iconic figure in international law.
With a legal career spanning decades, she made history as the first African and the first woman to hold the ICC’s top prosecutorial role. During her tenure from 2012 to 2021, Bensouda pursued some of the most high-profile war crimes and crimes against humanity cases globally, including investigations in Sudan, Libya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Her commitment to justice has often placed her at odds with powerful governments, but she stood firm defying pressure and politics. From Banjul to The Hague, Bensouda’s courage and legal prowess remain a beacon for African women in law and governance.
2. Olufunke Adekoya, SAN (Nigeria): The Queen of Arbitration in Africa
Respected across continents and revered in legal circles, Olufunke Adekoya is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), managing partner at AELEX, and one of Africa’s foremost arbitration specialists.
With a career that spans more than 45 years, Adekoya has represented clients in commercial disputes in London, Dubai, Mauritius, and across Africa. She is a former vice president of the International Bar Association and sits on the governing council of several global arbitration institutions.
What makes her stand out is not just her experience, but her consistent mentorship of young lawyers especially women. A vocal advocate for legal reforms and capacity building, Adekoya continues to use her influence to improve legal systems and dispute resolution mechanisms across Africa.
She is the reason many call Nigeria “the arbitration capital of Africa” and her legacy is only growing.
3. Efua Ghartey (Ghana): The Woman Leading Ghana’s Bar to a New Era
A rising force in West Africa’s legal community, Efua Ghartey made history in 2024 when she was elected President of the Ghana Bar Association, becoming one of the few women in the region to lead such a national institution.
With over two decades of legal experience, Ghartey is known not just for her courtroom brilliance, but for her human-centered approach to justice. She has worked across areas including corporate law, child protection, women’s rights, and judicial reform.
Ghartey’s vision for the Ghana Bar and indeed West Africa is one rooted in innovation, digital transformation, and equal opportunity. As an advocate for gender equity, she is using her platform to empower more women in law, bridge the gap between the bar and the street, and promote rule of law at home and abroad.
Her leadership is proof that you don’t need to be based in London or New York to drive global change you can do it from Accra, with boldness and integrity.
A New Chapter for West Africa
These three women are not only shattering stereotypes they’re setting standards. From international tribunals to arbitration panels and national legal institutions, they are proving that African women can lead, litigate, and legislate with unmatched global impact.
Their stories are not just about success. They are about service, resilience, and a deep belief in justice. And as more West African girls look up and see reflections of themselves in power, we know this is only the beginning.
Legal Africa Magazine will continue to spotlight women like Bensouda, Adekoya, and Ghartey not just because they deserve it, but because the world needs to know: Africa’s legal future is female.
