Janine Anthony joins Samoura, Coventry, Akamanzi on Africa’s top 50 women in sports list

Nigerian sports media executive, entrepreneur, and digital strategist, Janine Anthony, has been formally recognised by the Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) as one of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports honorees for the year 2025.

The prestigious list, announced on November 8 in Nairobi, Kenya, celebrates exceptional women whose leadership and innovation are driving the transformation of Africa’s sports ecosystem.

Anthony joined a cohort of continental and global heavyweights, including former FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, and NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi.

Anthony was specifically honoured in the Business and Marketing category, noting her significant influence at the critical intersection of technology, commerce, and media, extending beyond her award-winning on-screen career.

As the Sports and Gaming Partnerships Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok, Anthony led the strategy to establish Sports and Gaming as official, standalone content verticals. This business development effort was instrumental in growing the local sports creator economy, providing monetisation frameworks, and scaling African sports content to a global digital audience.

READ ALSO; FG pays N18bn insurance to boost troops’ welfare

Furthermore, her work within the global iGaming industry at PawaTech (owners of betPawa and Mchezo) included deploying the successful Locker Room Bonus (LRB).

This initiative, now available in Nigeria’s Nationwide League (NNL), is an example of social innovation, utilising mobile money and fintech solutions to ensure instant and equal cash rewards for both male and female players after a match win.

Her trajectory began with historic broadcast roles at the BBC (including being the first African woman to lead football commentary at AFCON 2019), followed by work with Sky Sports, the Premier League, and her role as a Matchday Reporter for DAZN at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the US, alongside fellow Nigerian football legend, John Obi Mikel.

She is also the Founder of LadiesMarch, a dedicated Pan-African digital network for women’s football that recently marked its 10th anniversary in June.

“These extraordinary women represent the heartbeat of African sports. Their courage, vision, and excellence inspire not just the next generation of women in sport, but an entire continent striving for transformation,” said Leslie Koroma Sr., Founder & CEO of the Africa Sports Ventures Group. The 2026 Edition of the awards is scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, alongside the Youth Olympic Games.

Anthony is one of six Nigerians honoured, which include: Nkechi Obi, CEO, Sport Nigeria Ltd; Yetunde Olopade, CEO & MD, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd; Amb. Mary Onyali, a celebrated Olympian who successfully transitioned to promoting athlete development and sports marketing; Aisha Shuaibu, President, SWA Sports & Advisory Board Member, NAFA; and Tega Onojaife, Founder, Ladies in Sports International, Sports Producer & Presenter.

Click here to read article