Africa has historically produced strong and crucial queens who have had a significant influence on both their societies and the global community. These queens had power in the past when trade, culture, and civilization were centered on the continent. They were respected for their military prowess, diplomatic skills, and cultural achievements, and their legacies continue to inspire people today.
These queens and many others have left an indelible mark on African history and continue to be celebrated for their leadership, courage, and contributions to their communities. In the sociopolitical and economic fields today, African women like Samia Suluhu, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Agnes Binagwaho, and Angélique Kidjo are illuminating these queens’ paths with their expertise, resiliency, and strength.
Meet The Famous African Queens
1. Amanirenas
- Kingdom: Kingdom of Kush
- Reign: 40 –10 BCE
Queen Amanirenas was a queen regnant of the Kingdom of Kush known for her bravery. This queen invaded Egypt when it was occupied by the Romans, forcing the powerful Romans to negotiate to end the war that lasted three years. Described as a one-eyed queen, she has been credited as the queen for brought an end to the expansion of Rome towards the South of Africa.
2. Makeda (Queen of Sheba)
- Kingdom: Kingdom of Ethiopia
- Reign: 1013 to 982 B.C
Queen Makeda is often referred to as Queen Bilquis or the queen of Sheba, as captured in the Bible. It was this African queen who visited Solomon, the King of Israel, with a caravan of gifts. Queen Makeda is not only revered for her greatness, but also for being the mother of Menelik, whom she was said to have had with King Solomon.
3. Ranavalona I
- Kingdom: Kingdom of Madagascar
- Reign: 1828 to 1861
This queen is often argued to be the most powerful queen that Africa has ever seen. She was betrothed to the King’s son as a little girl, and when she later got married and her husband died, leaving no descendant behind, she laid claim to the throne and changed her name from Ramavo to Ranavalona, making her the first female sovereign ruler of the Kingdom of Madagascar.
She ruled for 33 years, during which she fought European powers and cut them off trade. She also forbade the practice of Christianity and expanded her kingdom thanks to the powerful army of between 20,000 to 30,000 that she built.
4. Cleopatra VII Philopator
- Kingdom: Ptolemaic Egypt
- Reign: 51-12 B.C
Cleopatra was the Queen of Ptolemaic Egypt who ruled for close to 20 years from 51 to 30 BC. Her influence stretched beyond Egypt to Rome, where she had a great relationship with Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.
5. Yaa Asantewa
- Kingdom: Ashanti Kingdom
- Reign: 1900 to 1921
One of the most important queens in the history of Africa, this queen mother led her people to the famous War of the Golden Stool against the British colonialists to preserve the Golden Stool, a symbol of authority of the Ashanti kingdom. Yaa Asantewa led the war after men cowered and feared for their lives. In the end, she was exiled to Seychelles, where she died in 1921.
6. Queen Nandi
- Kingdom: Zulu kingdom
- Reign: 1816 to 1827
Queen Nandi is one of the most respected women in the history of the Zulu Kingdom, being the mother of the famous Shaka kaSenzangakhona, also referred to as Shaka Zulu. She had so much influence in the life of King Shaka, so much that he adored her to the point of worship. Following her death, the king executed many people, in their thousands, to mourn her.
7. Nzinga
- Kingdom: Kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba
- Reign: 1624–1663(Ndongo) and 1631–1663(Matamba)
As far as military tactics is concerned, there is hardly any other African Queen in the ancient times that came close to Queen Nzinga, of Ndongo and Matamba. She became queen of Ndongo follwoing the death of her brother and soon waged war against the Portuguese.
Her army wasdepleted but she maaned to escape and married a powerful Imbangala warlord. Using his influence, she raised another army which captured the Kingdom of Matamba for her, and she went ahead to capture back a greater part of Ndongo from the Portuguese. She did not relent in her fight until 1956 when a peace treaty was finally signed.
See Also: 12 Most Powerful African Kings That Ever Lived
8. Queen Amina
- Kingdom: Zazzau Empire (Zaria Emirate)
- Reign: 1576–1610
Queen Amina assended the throne of Zazzau after the death of her brother and three months later, she was already out waging wars and expanding her territories. She had an army of more than 200,000 foot soldiers and 1,000 calvary troops.
Whatever land she conquered, she got herself a man whom after spending a night with, killed in the morning so that none would ever live to tell about any experience with her. Queen Amina waged wars for over 34 years, created trading routes that reached North Africa, and fortified Zaria city with walls.
9. Queen Pokou
- Kingdom: Ashanti Empire
- Reign: 1750 – 1760
Queen Abla Pokou was a princess of the Ashanti Kingdom who rose to control somepart of the Ashanti Empire. As a result of adisagreement, she pulled away with her people Westward and when they came to the Komoe River,legend has it that she had to sacrifice her only child for her people to cross the rver to Ivory Coast, where they are nowfound. This queen is regarded as the founder of the Baoule ethnic group.
10. Nefertiti
- Kingdom: 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt
- Reign: 1353 to 1336 B.C
A queen of the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, Nefertiti was the wife of the great Pharaoh Akhenaten. The two ruled over egypt bringing many reforms. She was brutal to the enemies of Egypt and got her subjects to worship the Aten.
11. Hatshepsut
- Kingdom: 18th dynasty of Egypt
- Reign: 1478 – 1458 BC
This queen was first a regent before going on to serve as a pharaoh alongside Thutmose III, serving for more than 20 years in both roles. This woman has been argued to have had more powers than the previous female rulers of Egypt. During her time, she established several trade roites and was considerd to be one of the most prolific builders in Ancient Eypt woth many projects completed underher reign.
12. Ranavalona III
- Kingdom: Kingdom of Madagascar
- Reign: 1883 – 1897
Yet another of the famous African queens is Madagascar’s Ranavalona III. She is well known, not for her greatness buit for being the last sovereign of the Kingdom. She became queen at the age of 22 following the death of Ranavalona II. It was under her reign that Madagascar was annexed by the French. She was subsequently exiled and died in Algeria.
