A powerful gathering of influential female leaders

The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is an event that brings together the who’s who of female leadership on the continent and beyond – from the world of business, politics, art, sports, civil society and life; a unique collection of female trailblazers who are distinct in their thinking but single-minded in their purpose – all for a new, equal and thriving world!

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The 2024 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit

The 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit

Since its inception, the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit has honored International Women's Day on March 8 as an annual celebration commemorating the achievements and resilience of women across Africa and the world. In 2025, the Summit will be presented live on March 5 at Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa.
 
Join us as The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit celebrates its 10th birthday this year! What a time to be around, capturing the nuances of progress and Afro-optimism through the ideas and stories of our power-packed speaker line-up! As every single industry on the planet is undergoing tectonic technological shifts that only they can better decipher, what is the new rulebook for leadership to recalibrate for the opportunities ahead? See them, hear them, watch them live - unraveling their stories of grit and gravitas!
Women Unscripted: Powering Innovation and Impact in Africa

To The Power Of 10: The Rule-Breakers In Africa’s Next Chapter

The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit will showcase its 10th milestone edition on March 5 2025 at Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa. The much-anticipated and hugely-successful annual must-do calendar event will be held in anticipation of International Women’s Day (March 8) and to honor the female leaders and luminaries going beyond the script for a new vision for Africa. The day, featuring exclusive panels, talks, one-on-one interviews and fireside chats, will salute African ingenuity and the power of the female collective, connecting the dots, the doers and their doings. 
 
This 10th edition will be a showcase of the best of the best of our award-winning editorial content. Attracting top-tier, A-list speakers – from global billionaires to Hollywood celebrities, Olympian sports stars, corporate titans and Grammy-winning artists – the summit will comprise curated conversations and content that touch on the engaging topics and trends of the day and beyond. The event will be a blockbuster production, which, from the drawing board to the live stage, will resonate with decibels across multiple platforms. As we look to the next 10 years, we will meet the next cadre of leadership, from the forefront to the future, unraveling their new discourse and playbook. Get set for the conversations that will change ideas and innovations into revolutionary action.
 
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS EXTRAORDINARY EVENT
 
 

What to Expect at this Year's Summit!

inspiring conversations
Influential attendees

FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is a one-day event taking place on 5 March 2025 at the Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa.

Attendees

1000+

Attendees

Countries

50+

Countries

Speakers

30+

Speakers

Duration

1 Day

Duration

2024 SPEAKERS

  • Chief Operations Officer of CAF

    Abiola Ijasanmi

    Chief Operations Officer of CAF

    Country Head,  Visa South Africa

    Lineshree Moodley

    Country Head, Visa South Africa

    Head of Private Enterprise for KPMG in South Africa

    Alan Barr

    Head of Private Enterprise for KPMG in South Africa

    Fashion Designer, Niger

    Alia Bare

    Fashion Designer, Niger

    South African actress

    Ama Qamata

    South African actress

    General Manager: Marketing,Air Products

    Arthi Govender

    General Manager: Marketing,Air Products

    Student, Harvard Business School

    Ayushi Chandaria

    Student, Harvard Business School

     CEO and Co-Founder, Zindi

    Celina Lee

    CEO and Co-Founder, Zindi

  • Head Coach, Banyana Banyana

    Desiree Ellis

    Head Coach, Banyana Banyana

    CEO, Melvin Marsh International

    Flora Mutahi

    CEO, Melvin Marsh International

    CEO & FOUNDER, GM Anchor Group & Le Rein Dialysis Services

    Gaëlle Matumbu Munayi

    CEO & FOUNDER, GM Anchor Group & Le Rein Dialysis Services

    Retired senior airline captain and award-winner conservationist

    Jane Trembath

    Retired senior airline captain and award-winner conservationist

    Co-Founder and CEO, Alaska Tanzania

    Jennifer Bash

    Co-Founder and CEO, Alaska Tanzania

    Nigerian multi-award-winning performance poet

    Alhanislam

    Nigerian multi-award-winning performance poet

    South African accoustic singer and songwriter

    Micaela Kleinsmith

    South African accoustic singer and songwriter

     South African R&B singer-songwriter

    MOE.

    South African R&B singer-songwriter

  • Miss South Africa 2023

    Natasha Joubert

    Miss South Africa 2023

    Rwandan singer and actress

    Nirere Shanel

    Rwandan singer and actress

    CEO:  S'ABLE LABS, model and activist

    Sabrina Elba

    CEO: S'ABLE LABS, model and activist

    South African Pop/R&B vocalist and songwriter

    Shekhinah

    South African Pop/R&B vocalist and songwriter

    South African comedian and actress

    Celeste Ntuli

    South African comedian and actress

    Founder of Robots Can Think

    Dr Natalie Raphil

    Founder of Robots Can Think

    Group Executive: Transformation & Sustainability at African Bank

    Edna Montse

    Group Executive: Transformation & Sustainability at African Bank

    CEO of EbonyLife Media

    Mo Abudu

    CEO of EbonyLife Media

  • Executive Director of the Center for Civil Liberties in Ukraine

    Oleksandra (Sasha) Romantsova

    Executive Director of the Center for Civil Liberties in Ukraine

    Egyptian-Lebanese engineer and astronaut

    Sara Sabry

    Egyptian-Lebanese engineer and astronaut

    Group Chief Information & Digital Officer at African Bank

    Unathi Mtya

    Group Chief Information & Digital Officer at African Bank

    Director of Capital Markets, JSE

    Valdene Reddy

    Director of Capital Markets, JSE

    Global education advocate, filmmaker, Presidential advisor

    Zuriel Oduwole

    Global education advocate, filmmaker, Presidential advisor

2023 Speakers

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa

DR Naledi Pandor

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa

Founder and Creative Director, White Label Fragrances

Thamani Thothe

Founder and Creative Director, White Label Fragrances

Founder & Creative Director, Christie Brown

Aisha Ayensu

Founder & Creative Director, Christie Brown

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group

Amina Mohammed

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group

Nigerian economist

Arunma Oteh

Nigerian economist

Global Speaker, Running Start Advisor

Ashira Solomon

Global Speaker, Running Start Advisor

Founder, Nala Feminist Collective (Nalafem), Pan-African feminist and Tunisian diplomat

Aya Chebbi

Founder, Nala Feminist Collective (Nalafem), Pan-African feminist and Tunisian diplomat

South African activist

Ayakha Melithafa

South African activist

Leading Growth In Africa's Most Gender-Equal Country

Clare Akamanzi

Leading Growth In Africa's Most Gender-Equal Country

Founder/CEO Mobihealth International

Dr. Funmi Adewara

Founder/CEO Mobihealth International

Head of Ophthalmology Department, Windhoek Central Hospital

Dr. Helena Ndume

Head of Ophthalmology Department, Windhoek Central Hospital

Group Chief: Transformation & Sustainability Officer, African Bank

Edna Montse

Group Chief: Transformation & Sustainability Officer, African Bank

Rwandan Actress

Eliane Umahire

Rwandan Actress

Director, Wealth advisor PSG Wealth, Moneyweb advisor

Elke Brink

Director, Wealth advisor PSG Wealth, Moneyweb advisor

Former President, Liberia

H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Former President, Liberia

Kenyan comedian living in LA

Elsa Majimbo

Kenyan comedian living in LA

Creative Director and Founder, Timabee Inc

Fatima Babakura

Creative Director and Founder, Timabee Inc

Chief Executive Officer for Consumer & High Net Worth Clients, Standard Bank

Funeka Montjane

Chief Executive Officer for Consumer & High Net Worth Clients, Standard Bank

Libyan Human Rights and Peace Activist

Hajer Sharief

Libyan Human Rights and Peace Activist

Founder, Nuya's Essence & Former Miss Universe Tanzania

Hellen Dausen

Founder, Nuya's Essence & Former Miss Universe Tanzania

Co-Founder and CGO, Adanian Labs

Irene Kiwia

Co-Founder and CGO, Adanian Labs

Managing Director, Lucara Diamonds, Botswana

Naseem Banu Lahri

Managing Director, Lucara Diamonds, Botswana

First openly transgender woman to enter Miss South Africa

Lehlogonolo Machaba

First openly transgender woman to enter Miss South Africa

Director of Operations, McDonald's SA

Maureen Williams Mtonintshi

Director of Operations, McDonald's SA

Marketing Director at Edward Snell & Co

Melanie Campbell

Marketing Director at Edward Snell & Co

South African Grammy Winner, Singer Songwriter

Nomcebo Zikode

South African Grammy Winner, Singer Songwriter

Co-Founder and Group CEO of WIPHOLD

Louisa Mojela

Co-Founder and Group CEO of WIPHOLD

Partner, DLA Piper’s White Collar Defense Group

Naana Frimpong

Partner, DLA Piper’s White Collar Defense Group

Chief Of Staff, SIMBA Group

Dr Nataliey Bitature

Chief Of Staff, SIMBA Group

Managing Director, RichAfrica Consultancy

Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni

Managing Director, RichAfrica Consultancy

Kenyan musician and actress

Nikita Kering

Kenyan musician and actress

Chairman of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa

Nolitha Fakude

Chairman of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa

CEO of Awakened Global

Nonkululeko Gobodo

CEO of Awakened Global

Winemaker at Delheim

Nongcebo 'Noni' Langa

Winemaker at Delheim

Founder and Creative Director, Mantsho

Palesa Mokubung

Founder and Creative Director, Mantsho

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC Commonwealth Secretary-General

Patricia Scotland

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC Commonwealth Secretary-General

Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Africa, Coca-Cola Company

Patricia Obozuwa

Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Africa, Coca-Cola Company

CEO, Beer Association of South Africa

Patricia Pillay

CEO, Beer Association of South Africa

Rwandan Referee

Salima Mukansanga

Rwandan Referee

Founder, Chil Group companies

Dr. Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa

Founder, Chil Group companies

Executive Director of UN Women

Sima Sami Bahous

Executive Director of UN Women

Singer-songwriter, model, actress and avid equestrian

Singhita

Singer-songwriter, model, actress and avid equestrian

Founder, Yolz Beauty

Yolenda Jawe

Founder, Yolz Beauty

COO and co-founder at Mzansi

Tasneem Karodia

COO and co-founder at Mzansi

The Message Architect

Thami Nkadimeng

The Message Architect

Brand Ambassador - Africa, The Macallan

Thami Banda

Brand Ambassador - Africa, The Macallan

South African Soccer Player

Thembi Kgatlana

South African Soccer Player

Award winning comedian, actor, writer and producer

Tumi Morake

Award winning comedian, actor, writer and producer

New York Times Bestselling Author, Peloton Instructor, Nike Athlete, Motivational Speaker, Host and Correspondent

Tunde Oyeneyin

New York Times Bestselling Author, Peloton Instructor, Nike Athlete, Motivational Speaker, Host and Correspondent

Group Chief Information & Digital Officer, African Bank

Unathi Mtya

Group Chief Information & Digital Officer, African Bank

Executive Director, Batoka Hospitality Limited

Vimbai Masiyiwa

Executive Director, Batoka Hospitality Limited

2x GRAMMY winning South African Flautist, Producer and Composer & Musician

Wouter Kellerman

2x GRAMMY winning South African Flautist, Producer and Composer & Musician

Chief People Officer at McDonald’s South Africa

Yvonne Themba

Chief People Officer at McDonald’s South Africa

Tik Tok Influencer

Kaitlin Rawson

Tik Tok Influencer

Speakers From Past Years

  • Royal Princess, Emirati Business Woman, Author and Artist (UAE)

    Sheikha Hend Faisal Al-Qassimi

    Royal Princess, Emirati Business Woman, Author and Artist (UAE)

     CEO of Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA)

    Tanya van Lill

    CEO of Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA)

      Dancer, South Africa

    Oti Mabuse

    Dancer, South Africa

      Somali-Canadian Activist & Director, Elman Peace Centre, Mogadishu, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

    Ilwad Elman

    Somali-Canadian Activist & Director, Elman Peace Centre, Mogadishu, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

      Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard

    Ebehijie Momoh

    Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard

      British-Sudanese Model

    Alek Wek

    British-Sudanese Model

      Miss South Africa 2020

    Shudufhadzo Musida

    Miss South Africa 2020

     South African television presenter, radio personality, businesswoman, producer, model and philanthropist.

    Bonang Matheba

    South African television presenter, radio personality, businesswoman, producer, model and philanthropist.

  •   South African Artistic Gymnast

    Caitlin Rooskrantz

    South African Artistic Gymnast

      South African DJ

    DJ Zinhle

    South African DJ

     Paediatric Radiologist and CEO, Envisionit Deep AI

    Dr Jaishree Naidoo

    Paediatric Radiologist and CEO, Envisionit Deep AI

    South African Businesswoman and Author

    Dr Judy Dlamini

    South African Businesswoman and Author

      South African politician, educator and academic serving as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

    Dr Naledi Pandor

    South African politician, educator and academic serving as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

      Nigerian business woman, motivational speaker, and an author

    Ibukun Awosiwa

    Nigerian business woman, motivational speaker, and an author

     Angolan actress, TV host, Model and Beauty queen

    Leila Lopes

    Angolan actress, TV host, Model and Beauty queen

      South African Singer

    Lira Molapo

    South African Singer

  • Rwandan-born actress, poet, singer, and social justice activist

    Malaika Uwamahoro

    Rwandan-born actress, poet, singer, and social justice activist

      Entrepreneur & Vice Chair of Famfa Oil, Nigeria

    Folorunsho Alakija

    Entrepreneur & Vice Chair of Famfa Oil, Nigeria

      Miss Universe 2019

    Zozibini Tunzi

    Miss Universe 2019

      British / Hollywood Actress

    Gugu Mbatha-Raw

    British / Hollywood Actress

      Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town

    Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng

    Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town

    South African Explorer and Africa’s first black woman to summit Mount Everest

    Saray Khumalo

    South African Explorer and Africa’s first black woman to summit Mount Everest

    Commonwealth Secretary General to Africa

    Patricia Scotland - Abbasi

    Commonwealth Secretary General to Africa

FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit Over the Years

FORBES WOMAN AFRICA AWARDS | Past Winners

Celebrating the courageous accomplishments of female leaders whose dedication and selfless impact will inspire future generations.

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The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards celebrates the continent’s most inspiring women ex­celling in different sectors and industries across Africa.  These are women who have dismantled stereotypes to create a new narrative in entertainment, sport, business, finance and science. They have challenged authority to bring about change and created a new discourse that will enable future generations to live in a better and more equal world.

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