The 11th Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) successfully concluded its two-day conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, leaving women entrepreneurs from across the continent inspired and equipped with valuable business skills.
Inspiring Keynotes and Powerful Messages
The event, held under the theme "Breaking the Barriers: Now More Than Ever," brought together women innovators, investors, policymakers, and development partners from various African nations. Dr. Fatima Elsheikh, Secretary General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), set an inspiring tone during her keynote address, urging women across Africa to be bold, visionary, and collaborative in driving innovation and sustainable growth.
South Africa's Deputy Minister for Small Business Development, Jane Sithole, applauded AWIEF for its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, noting that "empowered women build stronger economies." Monique Shurray White, CEO of I.M.A.G.E.S. Media Group from the USA, delivered a passionate call for women to embrace their power, creativity, and confidence during her address to delegates.
Practical Skills Development and Networking
Participants engaged in numerous educational sessions designed to enhance their business capabilities:
- Panel discussions on AI and the Future of Work
- Workshops on Mobilizing Capital for Women Entrepreneurs
- Sessions focused on Africa's Green Transition
- Training on harnessing the AfCFTA for Intra-African Trade
The conference also provided dedicated mentorship and business development sessions to help women strengthen their enterprises and scale across markets. Exhibitors from across Africa showcased innovative products and services, creating additional opportunities for networking and cross-border collaboration.
Building on a Legacy of Empowerment
AWIEF Founder and CEO Irene Ochem emphasized that empowering women entrepreneurs remains central to Africa's inclusive development. She noted that over the past 11 years, AWIEF has grown into one of Africa's most influential platforms for women in business, consistently working to break barriers and equip women with tools to thrive despite challenges.
The event received significant support from key partners including OCP Africa as Diamond Sponsor, Deloitte Africa as Knowledge Partner, City of Cape Town as Host City, and several other prominent organizations including African Women Development Fund, Nedbank, UNDP, UN Women, and MINT360 as Tech Partner. These partnerships demonstrate the collective commitment to promoting women's entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and sustainable development across Africa.
