Angeline Murimirwa: Biography, Age, Career, Family, Awards and More

Angeline Murimirwa (née Mugwendere), born in 1980 in Denhere, Zimbabwe, is a renowned education activist and feminist. She currently serves as the CEO of CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education), a pan-African organization dedicated to eradicating poverty through the education and empowerment of girls. Murimirwa’s journey from a scholarship recipient to a global leader exemplifies her commitment to transforming the lives of young women across Africa.​

Key Information

Education

In the 1990s, Murimirwa was among the first girls to receive a CAMFED scholarship, which enabled her to attend secondary school in rural Zimbabwe. The scholarship covered essential expenses, including tuition, uniforms, and school supplies. Her personal experience with educational barriers has fueled her dedication to ensuring that other girls have access to quality education.​

Career and Initiatives

• CAMFED Association (CAMA): In 1998, Murimirwa co-founded CAMA, a network of CAMFED alumnae committed to supporting and mentoring other young women. By 2017, CAMA had grown to over 100,000 members across five African countries. ​

• Leadership Roles: Before becoming CEO, Murimirwa served as CAMFED’s Regional Executive Director for Southern and Eastern Africa. In 2023, she succeeded Lucy Lake as CEO, marking a significant milestone in promoting African women’s leadership within the organization. ​

• Community Engagement: Murimirwa emphasizes locally tailored solutions that respect context and build on local resources, which she identifies as key to CAMFED’s success.

Achievements

• TIME100 Honoree (2025): Recognized as one of the world’s most influential people for her leadership in revolutionizing girls’ education.

• Africa Education Medal (2024): Awarded for her outstanding leadership in transforming education across the continent. ​

• Yidan Prize for Education Development (2020): Honored for promoting education development.

• Diamond Ball Honors Award (2017): Received from the Clara Lionel Foundation for her contributions to education and empowerment. ​

• Women’s Creativity in Rural Life Award (2006): Recognized by the Women’s World Summit Foundation for her work in rural education and women’s empowerment. ​

Recognition and Honors

• Chief of Development (2024): Bestowed the title “Lebgimsim Naa” by His Royal Highness Ibrahim Mohammed, Chief of the Choggu Traditional Area in Northern Ghana, in recognition of her transformational leadership. ​

• BBC 100 Women (2017): Included in the list of the most influential women.

• Featured in “Half the Sky” (2009): Her story was highlighted in the best-selling book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. ​
  

Personal Life

Murimirwa is married and a mother of four. Her personal experiences continue to inspire her advocacy for girls’ education and empowerment.

Angeline Murimirwa’s journey from a scholarship recipient to a global leader underscores the transformative power of education. Her unwavering commitment to empowering young women continues to inspire and effect change across Africa and beyond.

Interesting Facts About Angeline Murimirwa

• First CAMFED Scholar to Lead the Organization
  Angeline Murimirwa was one of the first young women supported by CAMFED in Zimbabwe in the 1990s, and today, she is the CEO of the same organization. Her journey symbolizes the full-circle impact of investing in girls’ education.

• Co-Founder of the CAMFED Association (CAMA)
  She co-founded CAMA, a peer-support network of female leaders educated with CAMFED’s support. As of now, CAMA has over 250,000 members across Africa, all committed to uplifting other girls and women in their communities.

• Honored as a Traditional Chief in Ghana
  In 2024, she was bestowed the title “Lebgimsim Naa” (Chief of Development) by a traditional chief in Northern Ghana—recognizing her transformative leadership in education and community upliftment.

• Featured in the Bestseller “Half the Sky”
  Angeline’s story was spotlighted in Half the Sky, the global best-seller by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, which advocates for the empowerment of women and girls around the world.

• Recognized by Rihanna’s Foundation
  In 2017, she received the Diamond Ball Honors Award from Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation, which supports global education and emergency response programs.

• TED Talk Speaker
  She delivered a TED Talk titled “School is Just the Beginning”, where she shared how investing in girls’ education ignites lasting change across communities and generations.

• TIME100 Honoree (2025)
  Murimirwa was named to TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2025—one of the few African women to achieve this honor for education leadership.

• Supports Thousands of Students Personally
  Through her role in CAMA, she has personally mentored and supported thousands of girls in continuing their education, often using her own resources.

• Advocate for Community-Led Change
  She often emphasizes that the “experts are in the community”—highlighting that local women and young people are the best positioned to solve problems in their own context.

• She’s a Mother of Four
  Despite her global commitments, Angeline remains deeply grounded in her personal life, raising four children while managing an international nonprofit with a presence in five countries.

Read more biographies and success stories of business leaders, celebrities, healthcare professionals etc. at Leader Biography.