Celebrating Global Unity, African Triumphs, and Women's Leadership

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.?

The Paris 2024 Olympics: Global Unity and Triumph of African Athletes

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games emerge as a beacon of hope amidst a world faced with numerous crises. The Summer Games have been a resounding success so far, celebrating human achievement, bridging cultural divides, and uniting people from different continents in a spirit of peaceful competition and athletic excellence.

Over three billion people worldwide are anticipated to watch, as the world's finest sportsmen and women gather for the first-ever gender-balanced Olympic Games. This historic event will feature 329 gold medal events across 32 sports, over 18 thrilling days of competition.

Africa is fully represented, with all 54 countries present in Paris. African athletes made their Olympic debut in 1908, with South African Reggie Walker winning gold in the 100 meters. Since then, African nations like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Morocco have consistently excelled, especially in track and field. At the Paris Olympics, the African athletes continue to showcase their talent and competitive spirit, enhancing the continent's legacy in global sports.?

Here are a few brilliant wins so far:

• South Africa's Tatjana Smith won gold and silver in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke, respectively, becoming their most successful Olympian.
• Fares Farjani of Tunisia won silver in the men's Sabre/fencing, winning the first African medal in Paris.
• In football, Morocco and Egypt advanced in the men's competition, and the continent's medal hopes now rest on their shoulders.
• Kaylia Nemour, an Algerian gymnast, made history as Africa’s first gymnastics gold medalist.?
• Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei wins 10,000-meter gold in 26 minutes and 43 seconds, setting a new world record.
• The Nigerian women’s basketball team made history by clinching a quarter-final spot.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, noted in his book "L'éducation en Angleterre,"?that sports are essential to education and human development, fostering vital social skills such as unity, empathy, mutual understanding, and dispute resolution.

We continue to celebrate these wins and look forward to Africa's continued sustainable development, marked by increased participation in global sporting events and a global commitment to fostering peace and goodwill.

OUR NEWS

Africa’s Women’s Day: Honoring Women Leaders in Africa

In commemoration of Pan-African Women’s Day, we celebrate 20 women leading multinational corporations and organizations in Africa, breaking barriers, and serving as role models. Despite women holding only 5% of top CEO positions, these leaders significantly contribute to Africa’s growth and development. See the full list here:?

UPCOMING EVENTS

• United Nations General Assembly High-level Meetings, New York 2024

We will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Follow us for more information.?

• Women in Philanthropy and Impact Africa (WIPIA)- a new initiative aimed at amplifying women's leadership in philanthropy across the continent, will be launched alongside the UN General Assembly High-level meetings in September. ? To join and learn more about the initiative, click here

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.