Flagship · PAWLC
Pan-African Women Leaders Caucus
Connecting Women Leaders. Mobilising Support. Building Influence. Shaping Africa's Future.
The Pan-African Women Leaders Caucus (PAWLC) is a continental, non-partisan leadership ecosystem connecting women political and public leaders with one another, and with institutions, international organisations, development partners, strategic allies and opportunities that can strengthen women's leadership and influence across Africa.
PAWLC brings together established and emerging women leaders, political and public leaders, diplomats, governance experts, institutions and strategic partners to foster collaboration, leadership development, policy dialogue, continental engagement and meaningful connections.
PAWLC · 01
A Pan-African platform for leadership, connection and influence
A PAN-AFRICAN PLATFORM FOR LEADERSHIP, CONNECTION AND INFLUENCE
The Pan-African Women Leaders Caucus (PAWLC) emerged from the Women in Geopolitics Debate Series convened by Leading Women of Africa (LWA), where African leaders, diplomats, governance experts, presidential aspirants, electoral specialists, policymakers and Pan-African strategic thinkers identified the need for a stronger continental platform for women's leadership and strategic coordination.
PAWLC is being developed as a governance dialogue platform, continental coordination architecture, leadership influence ecosystem and long-term Pan-African strategic institution.
Its purpose is to create a connected ecosystem through which women leaders can connect, collaborate, access knowledge and opportunities, strengthen their influence and engage with institutions and partners working to advance women's leadership across Africa.
PAWLC CONNECTS WOMEN LEADERS with
PEERS & MENTORS
INSTITUTIONS & NETWORKS
DEVELOPMENT & FUNDING PARTNERS
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ORGANISATIONS
STRATEGIC ALLIES
KNOWLEDGE & POLICY INSTITUTIONS
PAWLC is not simply a network of women leaders. It is an ecosystem designed to connect leadership with relationships, knowledge, opportunity and strategic support.
PAWLC is being established as an independent, governance-led and continentally representative Pan-African platform. Leading Women of Africa provides institutional support and coordination during the formative phase.
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Vision & strategic priorities
OUR VISION
A continent where women exercise strategic leadership and influence at all levels of governance, including the Presidency, shaping Africa's political, economic, diplomatic and geopolitical future.
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
PAWLC seeks to:
01 — STRENGTHEN WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP IN ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: Promote women's participation in economic transformation and strategic sectors.
02 — STRENGTHEN WOMEN'S GEOPOLITICAL INFLUENCE: Promote women-led engagement in Africa's geopolitical positioning.
03 — ADVANCE WOMEN'S STRATEGIC INFLUENCE IN GOVERNANCE: Strengthen women's participation, voice and influence in governance.
04 — SUPPORT LEADERSHIP PATHWAYS: Support female presidential and executive leadership pathways.
05 — ADVANCE GOVERNANCE & INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY: Contribute to governance reform and institutional accountability.
06 — DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION: Nurture the next generation of African women leaders.
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One ecosystem. Many pathways to leadership.
ONE ECOSYSTEM. MANY PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP.
PAWLC brings together leaders, institutions and strategic partners around a common objective: strengthening women's leadership, influence and participation across Africa.
WHERE DO YOU FIT?
I AM A WOMAN LEADER — Connect with PAWLC
I AM AN EMERGING LEADER — Join the leadership community
I REPRESENT AN INSTITUTION — Partner with PAWLC
I WANT TO SUPPORT WOMEN LEADERS — Become a Support Partner
I WANT TO BE AN ALLY — Become a Strategic Ally
I WANT TO CONNECT WITH AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS — Connect with the Network
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Your leadership. Your network. Your opportunities.
YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOUR NETWORK. YOUR OPPORTUNITIES.
A platform designed to help women leaders connect, collaborate, access opportunities and strengthen their influence.
PAWLC recognises that women leaders do not all need the same kind of support.
Some are already serving in government or parliament. Some are preparing for senior leadership. Others are building their influence within their communities, institutions or countries.
Some need a network. Some need visibility. Some need knowledge, mentors or strategic introductions. Others are looking for programmes, partnerships, funding opportunities or institutions that can support their leadership journey.
PAWLC creates pathways to the people, institutions, knowledge and opportunities that can help women leaders move forward.
01 — CONNECT
BUILD YOUR PAN-AFRICAN LEADERSHIP NETWORK
Connect with women leaders across countries, political systems, institutions and generations.
PAWLC creates opportunities for:
Peer-to-peer connections
Cross-border relationships
Leadership networks
Mentorship and knowledge exchange
Connections with experienced leaders
Engagement with emerging leaders
Continental and international relationships
02 — COLLABORATE
TURN CONNECTIONS INTO COLLABORATION
Leadership becomes more powerful when leaders work together.
PAWLC creates pathways for women leaders to explore:
Joint initiatives
Cross-country collaboration
Policy and governance dialogue
Research and knowledge partnerships
Institutional collaboration
Regional and continental initiatives
Strategic partnerships
03 — ACCESS KNOWLEDGE & LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
NEVER LEAD ALONE
Women leaders can connect to knowledge, expertise and leadership resources relevant to their development and responsibilities.
Potential pathways include:
Leadership development
Mentorship
Peer learning
Governance expertise
Policy dialogue
Geopolitical insight
Strategic leadership conversations
Access to relevant learning and development programmes
PAWLC connects women leaders to relevant knowledge, leadership development, learning opportunities and expert support through its wider institutional ecosystem. Where appropriate, leaders may be connected to programmes and learning opportunities offered through the LWA Institute and other strategic education and development partners.
04 — DISCOVER OPPORTUNITIES
PAWLC can help women leaders discover relevant opportunities across the wider ecosystem — from leadership programmes and fellowships to conferences, research initiatives, partnerships, funding calls and other opportunities designed to strengthen women's leadership and participation.
Opportunities may include:
Leadership programmes
Fellowships and scholarships
Mentorship programmes
Conferences and high-level dialogues
Research opportunities
Policy and governance initiatives
International programmes
Institutional partnerships
Funding and grant opportunities
Development programmes
Speaking and engagement opportunities
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS?
PAWLC welcomes relevant opportunities from institutions, organisations, networks, foundations, development partners, universities and other stakeholders seeking to reach women leaders across Africa.
You may have:
A leadership programme
Fellowship or scholarship
Mentorship opportunity
Funding or grant opportunity
Research opportunity
Conference or dialogue invitation
Training or capacity-building programme
Board or advisory opportunity
International exchange programme
Partnership opportunity
Other leadership-related opportunity
Submitted opportunities are reviewed by PAWLC before being shared with the network. Submission does not guarantee publication or distribution.
05 — ACCESS SUPPORT FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
FROM LEADERSHIP ASPIRATION TO LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Women should not have to navigate leadership pathways entirely alone.
PAWLC can help connect leaders to relevant support, expertise, institutions and opportunities according to their needs and stage of leadership.
This may include support related to:
Leadership Development — Mentorship — Institutional Partnerships — Policy & Governance — Visibility & Engagement — Networks & Strategic Introductions — Relevant Programmes & Funding Opportunities — Emerging Leadership Pathways
PAWLC facilitates connections and access to relevant networks, institutions, programmes and opportunities. Specific opportunities, funding, partnerships, appointments or programmes remain subject to the requirements, decisions and processes of the relevant institution or partner.
YOUR LEADERSHIP MATTERS.
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Connect with African women leaders
LOOKING TO ENGAGE WITH WOMEN LEADERS ACROSS AFRICA?
PAWLC creates pathways for meaningful engagement with African women political and public leaders.
International organisations, governments, women's political leadership networks, development institutions, universities, foundations, civil society organisations and other strategic partners often have programmes, research, leadership initiatives, funding opportunities and partnerships designed to strengthen women's leadership.
PAWLC provides a platform through which these institutions can connect with relevant women leaders and explore meaningful collaboration across Africa.
FROM GLOBAL INTENT TO AFRICAN CONNECTION
WHAT PARTNERS CAN CONNECT THROUGH PAWLC
WHO CAN PARTNER WITH PAWLC?
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Multilateral and international institutions
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
Political leadership and women-in-leadership organisations
GOVERNMENTS & DIPLOMATIC INSTITUTIONS
National, regional and diplomatic institutions
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
Development agencies, DFIs and development organisations
FOUNDATIONS & PHILANTHROPIES
Foundations and philanthropic institutions
UNIVERSITIES & THINK TANKS
Research, academic and policy institutions
CIVIL SOCIETY
NGOs, advocacy and governance organisations
PRIVATE SECTOR
Companies, business networks and corporate foundations
PAWLC facilitates connections and partnership exploration. Participation in any programme, funding opportunity, partnership or initiative remains subject to the requirements and decisions of the relevant institution or partner.
PAWLC is non-partisan and does not endorse political parties or individual candidates.
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Support women’s political leadership
Women’s leadership does not advance through representation alone. It requires access to knowledge, networks, mentorship, institutional support, opportunities, visibility, resources and strategic allies that enable women to participate meaningfully and exercise influence in public life.
PAWLC provides a platform through which donors, foundations, development partners, philanthropies, corporate foundations, institutions, business leaders, diplomats, experts and strategic allies can contribute to a stronger ecosystem for women's political and public leadership across Africa.
WHERE CAN YOUR SUPPORT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
01 — LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Support programmes that strengthen the capabilities, confidence, knowledge and strategic leadership of women at different stages of their leadership journeys.
02 — EMERGING WOMEN LEADERS
Help create pathways for the next generation of African women leaders, including emerging leaders and women preparing for greater public responsibility.
03 — KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH & POLICY
Support research, knowledge production, policy dialogue and platforms that bring women's perspectives into conversations about Africa's governance, development and future.
04 — NETWORKS & LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS
Support opportunities that connect women leaders across countries, generations, institutions and regions through leadership networks, mentorship, peer exchange, regional dialogues, continental convenings and international engagement.
05 — PROGRAMMES & OPPORTUNITIES
Support or establish programmes that provide women leaders with access to fellowships, scholarships, leadership programmes, mentorship, research opportunities, international exchanges, capacity development and strategic dialogue.
06 — CONTINENTAL LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES
Support regional and continental initiatives bringing women leaders together around governance, leadership, economic transformation, diplomacy, geopolitics and Africa's development agenda.
STRATEGIC ALLIES: YOUR INFLUENCE CAN OPEN THE NEXT DOOR
Advancing women's leadership is a shared responsibility.
Strategic allies — including men who support women's leadership, business and investment leaders, diplomats, policymakers, governance experts, institutional leaders, academics, philanthropists and influential individuals — can contribute the relationships, expertise, platforms, opportunities and influence that help women leaders move forward.
WHAT CAN STRATEGIC ALLIES DO?
OPEN DOORS — Connect women leaders to influential networks, institutions, decision-makers and strategic opportunities.
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES — Support access to programmes, boards, conferences, mentorship, partnerships and other meaningful opportunities.
SHARE EXPERTISE — Contribute knowledge, experience, mentorship, technical expertise or strategic guidance.
CHAMPION WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP — Use your influence to advocate for greater participation, visibility and recognition of women in leadership.
BUILD PARTNERSHIPS — Work with PAWLC and its ecosystem to develop initiatives that strengthen women's leadership across Africa.
CONNECT AFRICA TO THE WORLD — Help build bridges between African women leaders and global institutions, networks, knowledge platforms and international opportunities.
BUILD A PARTNERSHIP, NOT JUST A CONTRIBUTION
LOOKING FOR A MEANINGFUL WAY TO SUPPORT WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP IN AFRICA?
PAWLC welcomes conversations with institutions and strategic allies seeking to:
Support an existing initiative
Develop a dedicated programme
Support emerging women leaders
Fund leadership development
Support research and policy dialogue
Sponsor a continental convening
Establish a fellowship or leadership programme
Provide expertise or technical support
Create opportunities for women leaders
Develop a longer-term institutional partnership
HAVE A FUNDING OR PROGRAMME MANDATE?
Tell PAWLC what you are looking to support.
Women's Leadership • Governance • Democracy & Participation • Youth Leadership • Policy & Research • Economic Leadership • Diplomacy & International Affairs • Capacity Development • Regional Integration
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A more tailored LWA experience
WANT A MORE TAILORED LWA EXPERIENCE?
PAWLC provides a continental ecosystem for women leaders to connect, collaborate, discover opportunities and engage with other leaders.
LWA Membership offers an additional, more tailored experience designed around your specific leadership, professional, business and development needs.
Depending on your membership category, you may access curated opportunities, programmes, learning, networks, strategic connections and other services aligned to your interests.
Explore LWA MembershipPAWLC · 08
PAWLC Founding Convention
PAWLC FOUNDING CONVENTION, 11 November 2026 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Convening Influential Women Leaders to Shape the Future of Continental Leadership
We are honoured to announce the Founding Convention of the Pan-African Women Leaders Caucus (PAWLC), bringing together distinguished women leaders from across Africa and the African Diaspora to establish the institutional foundation of PAWLC.
Hosted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the AFRICON Leadership, Investment & Entrepreneurship Summit & Awards 2026, the Founding Convention takes place in a country whose leadership and commitment to women's advancement provide a significant setting for the beginning of this continental initiative.
Under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and with Hon. Dr. Judith Salvio Kapinga, Minister of Industry and Trade and Guest of Honour, representing the Government of Tanzania at AFRICON 2026, the occasion reflects Tanzania's important role in advancing women's leadership and Africa's broader development agenda.
The Founding Convention will mark a defining moment in the institutional development of PAWLC — a Pan-African, non-partisan platform bringing together distinguished women leaders and strategic stakeholders committed to strengthening women's leadership, advancing collaboration and contributing to Africa's development, integration and global influence.
PAWLC is being established as a high-level leadership caucus connecting women who have served, and continue to serve, at significant levels of public leadership, diplomacy, governance, business, investment, academia, development and civil society.
WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE?
Introduction of PAWLC — vision, mission and strategic priorities
Leadership Dialogue — strategic reflections on women's leadership and Africa's future
Founding Members Committee — constitution of an inaugural committee of up to 15 distinguished women leaders representing Africa's regions and the African Diaspora
Dar es Salaam Founding Declaration — adoption and signing of the Founding Declaration
Institutional Roadmap — agreement on the next phase towards PAWLC's First Constitutional Assembly
Strategic Partnerships — building relationships and institutional support for PAWLC's continental development
WHO WILL ATTEND?
Participation will be strictly by invitation, bringing together distinguished women leaders including Ministers and former Ministers, Parliamentarians, Ambassadors and Diplomats, senior government officials, CEOs and business executives, academic leaders, leaders of continental and regional institutions, and representatives of the African Diaspora.
Virtual participation may be facilitated for selected distinguished leaders unable to attend physically.
A FOUNDING MOMENT FOR AFRICAN WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
The Founding Convention will establish the initial leadership architecture to guide PAWLC through its formative phase, while setting a clear roadmap towards its permanent governance structure and First Constitutional Assembly.
It is more than a launch. It is the beginning of a continental leadership institution designed to strengthen women's collective influence in shaping Africa's future.
