An AWCN 2024 Recap

Welcome to Leading Africa Forward, our monthly newsletter featuring insightful conversations about corporate leadership and entrepreneurship in Africa, focusing on how to drive inclusive and sustainable growth on the continent. We will also showcase some trailblazing female leaders at the helm of impactful change on the continent and share updates on our activities.?

As we bid farewell to a year that has tested us in many ways, we look ahead with optimism to the opportunities 2025 promises.?

This past year has been a remarkable chapter for AWCN, defined by purpose-driven initiatives and programs that have furthered our mission to build a supportive network of visionary women leading impactful businesses and championing women’s leadership.

This year, we proudly launched a groundbreaking initiative under the auspices of AWCN: Women in Philanthropy and Impact Africa (WIPIA). The launch, held during the UNGA High-Level Week in New York, was led by the Honourable Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy of Nigeria. It featured a distinguished lineup of leaders from international philanthropic organisations, including Cyrille Vigneron, Chair of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy.

With an official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in September to attend the Summit of the Future, AWCN actively contributed to critical discussions on achieving the SDGs, with a particular focus on advancing equality in leadership and emerging technologies. Members also participated in the Global Africa Business Initiative, and we hosted a vibrant community networking event for women leaders.

AWCN London diaspora community, which launched this year, held its first gathering in June

Women Ascending

We were delighted at the appointment of Dr Jumoke Oduwole, as Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment and had the honour of hosting an intimate luncheon during her visit? to Paris as part of President Bola Tinubu's delegation on a state visit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron

We also congratulate Hon. Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, the new Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana. We look back on our Kigali Business Mission last year, where Ms. Kenekwendo was our guest speaker during our Women CEOs Breakfast meeting.

Our Impact

We are thrilled to have almost 1400 women leaders from across Africa and beyond on our digital platforms. This year, we connected in person across three continents, demonstrating our growing international presence, fostering growth, celebrating numerous achievements of community members, and advocating for change. Our voice on women’s leadership strengthened on the global stage; we were invited to make a statement at the Summit of the Future during the United Nations General Assembly on AI and Inclusion and are represented in the UN Women Leaders Network, led by UN Women Executive Director Dr. Sima Bahous, established to advance women’s leadership and inclusion in decision-making roles.

As Africa’s importance continues to grow in dominance on the international stage—our official membership in the G20, the visit of US President Biden to Angola, the expansion of the BRICS, and increased growth prospects for 2025—we are committed to continuing this momentum on bringing women's leadership center stage into 2025 and together creating collective impact!

To learn more: connect with us here on LinkedIn or at? [email protected]

?------------------------------------

Upcoming for First Quarter of 2025

• January 10th: Lagos, New Year Meet-up

• January 20th-24th: Davos, during the week of World Economic Forum Annual Meeting
• March: New York, UN Committee on the Status of Women, Beijing+30

We wish you and yours all the best for the New Year!

What is AWCN?

We are a community of women leading businesses. This peer network helps women combat the “lonely-at-the-top" syndrome by supporting their professional growth through the provision of bespoke leadership development and access to business opportunities. Click here to join us To participate in our events, subscribe to our newsletter and follow Africa Women CEOs Network on LinkedIn.