Exploring the “Deal or No Deal” Leadership Dilemma of African Women Managers in the Kenyan and South African Financial Sectors

Balancing work and family obligations remains a significant challenge for African women in the financial sector. Although women are increasingly present in managerial positions, many remain in lower-level roles, limiting their access to executive leadership compared with their male peers. This research aims to explore the ‘deal or no deal’ dilemma and its consequences on African women managers who aspire to executive leadership roles within the financial sector in Kenya and South Africa. Using a qualitative approach, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 41 African women managers in Nairobi, Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa. The study shows that this dilemma heavily influences women’s choices regarding executive leadership roles. The findings identify three key themes: gender, the glass ceiling, and adaptive strategies. The findings identify the main consequences: persistent conflict between family and work responsibilities and dissatisfaction in both domains. The study concludes that African women will remain underrepresented in executive leadership roles unless institutions adopt supportive strategies, such as flexible work policies and gender-sensitive leadership pathways. The research emphasises the need for systemic reforms to address gender-related obstacles in Kenya’s and South Africa’s financial sectors.