Pan-African Presence · 33+ African Countries · 10,000+ Network Members
Pan-African Leadership & Development
Connecting women, organisations and institutions to leadership, opportunity, knowledge, markets and capital for a more inclusive and prosperous Africa.
33+
Countries across Africa
10,000+
Network members
150+
Programmes & initiatives
500+
Partners & collaborators
Our Purpose
We bring together women leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, governments, NGOs, universities and development partners to create impact at scale.
Our Work
Building women's capacity and influence across business, government and civil society.
Our Work
Expanding women's income, assets and economic agency.
Our Work
Helping women-owned businesses start, formalise, scale and export.
Our Work
Evidence and dialogue that shape better decisions for African women.
Our Work
Connecting women-led enterprise to capital and markets.
Our Work
Working with institutions that share our commitment to inclusive development.
Core Programmes
Five core programmes carry the work of Leading Women of Africa across finance, leadership, geopolitics, investment and community.
Capital, credit and investment readiness
Connecting women-led businesses and organisations to finance, credit, investment readiness support and funding partners so that enterprises can formalise, grow, scale and compete across African and global markets.
Lead. Collaborate. Influence. Transform Africa.
A high-level continental, non-partisan platform bringing together women leaders, policymakers, executives, diplomats and changemakers to advance leadership, policy influence, economic transformation and Africa's development agenda through strategic collaboration and collective action.
Pan-African think-tank and dialogue platform
A high-level Pan-African think-tank and dialogue platform that convenes women and men leaders, policymakers, diplomats, business executives, academics and experts to critically examine Africa's evolving role in the global geopolitical landscape.
Capital mobilisation and collective investment
A Pan-African capital mobilisation initiative focused on increasing women's participation in investment, strategic industries, infrastructure and economic transformation while promoting collective investment and wealth creation.
Market access, trade and investment facilitation
Facilitating market access, trade opportunities and strategic investment connections between African producers, businesses and global partners. We support African enterprises, including those in agriculture and other key sectors, to access new regional and international markets, while connecting global businesses and investors to African markets, opportunities and strategic partnerships.
Community membership is free — premium options available
A growing Pan-African ecosystem connecting professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and strategic allies. Community membership is free and open to all; premium membership categories provide tailored services, business support and visibility.
9–11 November 2026 · Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
AFRICON is a high-level Pan-African platform that brings together leaders from government, business, investment, entrepreneurship and civil society to shape Africa's economic and development priorities for the coming decade. Through the Summit, Awards and PAWLC Convention, AFRICON combines high-level dialogue, investment and business engagement, leadership recognition and strategic convening to advance inclusive growth, regional cooperation and Africa-led solutions.
Endorsed by H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
9–11 November 2026 · Dar es Salaam
A high-level Pan-African platform convening government, business, investment and civil society leaders to shape Africa's economic priorities for the coming decade.
Full details
10 November 2026 · Awards Gala
Celebrating exceptional African leaders, entrepreneurs and institutions whose vision, innovation and commitment drive sustainable development and economic transformation.
Full details11 November 2026 · By invitation
Building the architecture of women's strategic leadership for Africa's future — an exclusive convening of distinguished women leaders from across Africa and the Diaspora.
Full detailsProgrammes
Learning, enterprise, innovation and capital pathways delivered across the continent.
Learning
Learn. Lead. Build. Transform. Certificated courses across leadership, enterprise, digital and policy.
Enterprise
Free digital and entrepreneurial skills training for women-led businesses across Africa.
Innovation
Afrocentric AI and digital skills bootcamp for educators, students, entrepreneurs and institutions.
Leadership
Executive, board readiness and public leadership pathways.
Enterprise
Business growth, formalisation, market access and trade readiness.
Platform
A high-level Pan-African think-tank and dialogue platform on Africa's evolving global role.
Community
One account connects you to programmes, mentors, directories, opportunities and partners across 33+ countries.
Opportunity Hub
Grants, training, jobs, funding and events — updated continuously.
Impact Stories
Nigeria · Entrepreneurship
A textile producer moves from local trade to a regional buyer through market access support.
Kenya · ImpactHER
Free digital training helps small business owners reach customers online.
Rwanda · Policy & Governance
Women policymakers convene on trade and governance priorities.
Our Reach
LWA country chapters connect local leadership with continental programmes, opportunities and partnerships.
Events
Summits, dialogue series, webinars, trade missions and awards — every event on the LWA calendar.
Dialogue Series
5 December 2025 – 27 March 2026 · 12 episodesOnline
An LWA Leadership Institute high-level dialogue series bringing together women leaders, policymakers and diplomats to examine Africa's position within a complex and multipolar global order.
Webinars
October – November 2025 · 11:00 SASTOnline
Five Beyond Boundaries webinars amplifying African voices on the G20 Summit — Ubuntu and real gains for Africa, debt and inequality, critical minerals, the just energy transition and Ubuntu diplomacy at the G20 table.
Trade Missions
22–23 October 2025London, United Kingdom
A trade mission with TAFRII and PAWIIN (GLOBALWIIN) offering African women entrepreneurs, producers and innovators a platform to showcase products to European markets, join pre-arranged B2B meetings and be recognised at the GlobalWIIN Awards.
Awards
18–19 November 2025London, United Kingdom
In partnership with the International Trade Council, LWA invites nominations of African entrepreneurs, innovators, business and public leaders through the Future is Female & Male Champions programme.
Policy Dialogues · Past
21 March 2025 · 20:00 SASTOnline
Distinguished female leaders from diplomacy, government and the corporate sector explore the impact of global conflicts on Africa, women's role in diplomacy and governance, and strategies for African resilience.
Summits · Past
Saturday, 29 March 2025Pretoria, South Africa
Championed by H.E. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, this gathering brought together female diplomats and leaders to discuss Africa's role in global geopolitics, peace and economic transformation.
Summits · Past
20–23 November 2024Cape Town, South Africa
The APG Symposium & Exhibition closed with the gala at which the Future is Female and LWA Men Champions Award winners were revealed, following over 100 nominations from 20 African countries.
Summits · Past
2024Lilongwe, Malawi
The summit marked the launch of Leading Women of Africa – Malawi, convening government leaders, policymakers and women change agents from Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Awards · Past
18 November 2023Johannesburg, South Africa
Over 50 nominations from 20 African countries produced 26 finalists across four categories, celebrated at a gala ceremony alongside the APG Symposium and the Women and Political Power in Africa Masterclass.
Knowledge Hub
Annual Reports · 2025
Programme delivery, governance and financial summary. Content to be supplied.
Impact Reports · 2025
Measured outcomes across leadership, enterprise and policy work.
Policy Briefs · 2026
Barriers and enablers for women-led cross-border trade.
Research · 2026
Evidence on the gender financing gap across selected markets.
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