In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, we recognise the remarkable achievements of our female alumni and scholars across Africa. Their leadership, resilience, and dedication continue to shape stronger communities, influence policy, and drive innovation in their home countries. International Women’s Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary contributions of our female alumni and scholars, and to look ahead to the impact they will continue to make.
Here is an overview of some of the success stories and success quotes from female alumni and scholars that Australia Awards Africa has published since IWD 2025. Their stories remind us of what is possible when women lead, collaborate, and innovate.
Maria Wahba – Egypt
Trade agreements are usually remembered for their signatures, summits, and ceremonial handshakes. What is rarely seen is the painstaking analytical work that precedes those moments, the modelling, projections, and risk assessments that determine whether an agreement strengthens an economy or quietly exposes it to new vulnerabilities. This unseen architecture of trade policy is where evidence, not rhetoric, shapes outcomes.
In Egypt, much of this work is undertaken by economic analysts embedded within government institutions. Among them is alum Maria Shuhdy Isaac Wahba, an Economic Analyst in the Agreements and Foreign Trade Sector at the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, whose work demonstrates how data-driven policy supports sustainable development.
Working at the intersection of economics, diplomacy, and development, Maria translates complex datasets into insights that influence national strategy. Her work affects industries, exporters, investors, and ultimately the livelihoods tied to Egypt’s participation in global trade.
Dulce Onsario
The On-Award Small Grants provide an opportunity for scholars to assess how they can use their skills and knowledge gained through their scholarship in their home environment. It also provides an opportunity to create networks back home before scholars return and to start working on their Reintegration Action Plans.
In 2024, Dulce Osorio received a small grant from Australia Awards Africa to understand the intersection between maternal health and disability inclusion in Mozambique. In Mozambique, approximately 2.7% of the population are people with disabilities, nearly half of whom are women. Despite general health improving, specific groups, including women and people with disabilities, continue to experience significant disparities in health and poorer health outcomes.
Kristhee Samputh
With limited land resources available and strict disease management practices adopted, traditional agricultural practices are becoming too costly for Mauritians. Currently, there is a lack of uptake of biotechnological tools to improve crops, and research is needed to develop technologies that can support improved agricultural practices. One Mauritian alum, Kristhee Samputh, is set to impact these challenges positively through her Master of Biotechnology from the University of Queensland to help meet these deficits.
Apart from her academic work, Krishtee used her university networks to find opportunities outside of her coursework and build useful networks in support of her overall skills set and well-being. Kristhee also engaged in research programs, mentoring and providing welfare support to participants on an Australia Award Africa Short Course.
Victo Nalule
In Uganda, current Australia Awards scholar, Victo Nalule, is the Founder and Executive Director of Tunaweza Foundation, a Non-Government Organisation that seeks to empower people with disabilities to realise their full potential and live meaningful, independent lives.
This organisation seeks to create inclusive spaces, break down societal barriers, and foster self-reliance and dignity for all. Linked to this is the iHub, Uganda’s first inclusive innovation and technology hub for persons with disabilities. iHub is another initiative by Victo that ensures that youth with disabilities receive training in digital skills like coding and graphic design, and learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship. iHuB equips and prepares youth with disabilities to thrive in the digital economy and nurtures their creativity, and prepares them for employment in a tech-led world. In Australia on award, Victo is studying a Master of Sustainable Development at Murdoch University.
Naomi Muhamba – Malawi
In 2025, Australia Awards Scholar Naomi Muhamba from Malawi, studying towards a Master of Social Policy at the University of Melbourne, quietly achieved something remarkable. While busy with her studies, she also secured two competitive university grants – each fuelling her commitment to community impact and inclusive education in Malawi.
The first opportunity came through the Peter McPhee Community Impact Grant, designed to support students who drive meaningful change. Naomi chose to invest in the African Studies Student Organisation, helping coordinate its academic symposium on campus. With the grant, she strengthened event logistics and promotional activities, ensuring African research – and African languages – were proudly centred.
Naomi’s second achievement, the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant, became the catalyst for a powerful public storytelling project. Under her initiative “Shifting Classrooms: Stories of Inclusive Education in Malawi,” she produced a documentary capturing the lived experiences of secondary school students with disabilities.
Quota grams of success
Vivian Obiadika – Nigeria
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