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Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa

Location: News

African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR)
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On this momentous occasion of International Women's Day 2025, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), through its Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (SRRWA), stands at a pivotal juncture in the global pursuit of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This year's theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” resonates deeply as we commemorate the 30th  anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This landmark framework has shaped the global agenda for women's rights and gender equality.  

The Beijing Declaration, adopted in 1995, was a clarion call to dismantle systemic barriers, challenge discriminatory norms, and ensure the full participation of women in all spheres of life. Three decades later, we celebrate progress, particularly in Africa, where women have broken barriers in politics, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Yet, we must also confront the stark realities that persist: gender-based violence, unequal access to education and healthcare, economic disparities, and the underrepresentation of women in decision-making spaces. 

Africa has witnessed remarkable strides in advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls, demonstrating the continent's resilience and commitment to gender equality. Some of the most notable trends include:  

  • Increased Political Representation: Since adopting the Beijing Declaration in 1995, numerous African States have made remarkable strides in advancing women's political participation. Rwanda leads globally, with women occupying over 60% of parliamentary seats. Countries such as South Africa, Namibia, and Senegal have also achieved significant progress in promoting gender-balanced representation. Additionally, the appointment of female Heads of State across the continent has marked a transformative shift in political leadership. Notable examples include Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Africa's first elected female president; Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, who serves as the country's first female president; and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, who became the nation's first female Head of State. Other inspiring leaders include Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, interim president, and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim of Mauritius, the country's first female president. Most recently, Namibia appointed its first female Head of State, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, further underscoring the growing momentum toward gender equality in African politics.
  • Advancements in Education: The gender gap in primary and secondary education is narrowing across the continent. Countries like Kenya, Ghana, and Botswana have achieved near parity in school enrolment, empowering girls with the tools to build brighter futures.  
  • Women's Economic Empowerment: African women are increasingly breaking barriers in entrepreneurship and leadership. Initiatives such as the African Women's Development Fund and the African Union's Women in Business program have supported women-led businesses, fostering economic growth and innovation.  
  • Legal Reforms: Many African countries have enacted progressive laws to protect women's rights, including laws against gender-based violence, child marriage, and workplace discrimination. Countries like Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Gambia, and Mali have raised the legal age of marriage to 18, safeguarding girls from early marriages.  
  • Grassroots Movements: Women-led movements and organizations are driving change at the community level. From the #MeToo movement in Nigeria to the fight against gender-based violence in South Africa, African women are raising their voices and demanding accountability.  

Despite these positive trends, significant challenges remain, hindering the full realization of gender equality and women's empowerment in Africa, including: 

  • Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Harmful Traditional Practices: Despite the establishment of progressive legal frameworks, gender-based violence, and harmful traditional practices continue to plague societies, driven by deeply entrenched cultural norms, plural legal systems, and a lack of political will to enforce progressive laws. Child marriage remains widespread, perpetuating cycles of inequality and disempowerment. Similarly, GBV persists at alarming rates, manifesting in domestic violence, sexual assault, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). These challenges highlight the urgent need for stronger implementation of existing laws and a transformative shift in societal attitudes to eradicate these violations and protect the rights and dignity of women and girls.
  • Humanitarian crises, such as climate change and conflicts, have further exacerbated these challenges, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections and support systems.  
  • Economic Inequality: Women continue to face barriers to economic participation, including limited access to land, credit, and technology. The informal sector, where many African women work, often lacks social protections and fair wages.  
  • Health Disparities: Maternal mortality rates remain unacceptably high in some regions, and access to sexual and reproductive health services is often limited. Teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS disproportionately affect women and girls.  
  • Underrepresentation in Leadership: While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in political and corporate leadership roles. Cultural and institutional barriers often prevent women from ascending to decision-making positions.  
  • Conflict and Displacement: Women and girls in conflict-affected regions face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and displacement. The ongoing crises in parts of the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region underscore the need for gender-sensitive peacebuilding and humanitarian responses.  
  • Intersectional Discrimination: Marginalized groups of women, including those with disabilities, older women, and rural women, face compounded discrimination and exclusion from opportunities.  

To build on the progress and address persistent challenges, the ACHPR urges African governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and Agenda 2063. This can be achieved through aligning national policies with these frameworks and ensuring gender equality is mainstreamed across all sectors. The ACHPR calls for the strengthening of legal frameworks, enhanced access to justice for survivors, and increased investment in prevention programs to eradicate gender-based violence in all its forms.

It further emphasizes the need to expand women entrepreneurs' access to finance, land, and technology and ensure equal pay for equal work to close the gender wage gap. Affirmative action measures, such as quotas, should be implemented to increase the representation of women in political and leadership roles at all levels. The ACHPR also urges prioritizing girls' education, particularly in STEM fields, and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. Finally, the ACHPR calls for the recognition and addressing of the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups of women, including those with disabilities, rural women, and refugees.

As we celebrate the resilience and achievements of African women and girls, let us remember that the fight for gender equality is far from over. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, alongside Agenda 2063, provide a roadmap to a future where every woman and girl can live with dignity, freedom, and opportunity. On this International Women's Day, let us recommit to the principles of rights, equality, and empowerment—not just for some, but for ALL women and girls. 

Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie
Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa of the ACHPR and Vice-Chairperson of the ACHPR

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR).

Read moreStatement by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa

KZN Premier calls for swift arrest in Sphindiwe Hlongwa’s murder

Location: News

KZN Premier calls for swift arrest in Sphindiwe Hlongwa’s murder

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for the swift arrest of the perpetrators involved in the rape and murder of Sphindiwe Hlongwa, whose body was found dumped near her home in Mkhazini, south of Durban.

According to reports, Hlongwa, 31, was found strangled to death, with visible signs of assault and a swollen face after being dropped off by a Renault Kwid near her home on Monday evening.

Ntuli has condemned Hlongwa’s killing, describing the act as “barbaric, inhumane, and an attack on the dignity and safety of women” in the province.

“We are deeply horrified by yet another grotesque act of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice without delay. This is one of many murders linked to the scourge of GBVF in our province. 

“However, working with the SAPS [South African Police Service] under our Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, we will make sure to treat every case as an emergency, one case at a time. We will never give up and we will do everything to defeat GBVF,” the Premier said.

Ntuli urged anyone with information related to the crime to come forward and assist the police by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or their nearest police station.

International Women's Month commemoration

Meanwhile, Ntuli will on Saturday lead a delegation of the Members of the Executive Council (MEC) to commemorate International Women's Day at the KwaMashu Civic Centre.

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women's achievements and a call for gender equality. Observed annually on 8 March, the day is a reminder of the contributions women make to society and the challenges they continue to face. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 11:54
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KFC Celebrates Inspirational African Women Accelerating Action Towards Equality

Location: Business
KFC Africa

Progress in closing the gender gap in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa has almost halted, leaving millions of women at a disadvantage to men. But female role models across the continent are refusing to admit defeat, dedicating themselves to accelerating progress towards gender equality.

To mark International Women's Day on 8 March and honour its theme of “Accelerate Action”, KFC Africa has collected the stories of dozens of women who are taking bold steps to advance equality on the continent by educating, empowering and supporting women to achieve more, together, faster. 

KFC Africa's list contains the names of 54 women – one for each year the company has been in Africa – and follows its successful International Women's Day campaign in 2024 which introduced an inaugural list (https://apo-opa.co/4h5xiID) of 53 “female firsts”. Each of those women had overcome educational, social and financial obstacles to achieve something no woman in their country had done before. 

The 2025 list (https://apo-opa.co/4h5xiID), drawn from each of the 22 Sub-Saharan Africa countries where KFC has restaurants, also has its share of female firsts – people such as Dior Fall Sow, Senegal's first female prosecutor; Nelly Mutti, the Zambian parliament's first female speaker; and Adelaide Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, the first woman to lead Lesotho's central bank.  

The list is dominated, however, by younger women who are breaking the mould – particularly in the technology sector – and showing they can do anything they set their mind to, regardless of age or gender. 

They include the likes of Christine Ogo, a Cote d'Ivoire physicist who has encouraged thousands of schoolgirls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics; Rachel Sibande, who set up Malawi's first technology incubator for emerging entrepreneurs and has gone on to teach coding to 92,000 women and children; and Regina Honu, whose Tech Needs Girls movement in Ghana has trained more than 20,000 women and girls to code. 

Gender gap 

“It's a powerful list that gives us hope after  the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report (https://apo-opa.co/4i2QKXB) in 2024 showed that progress seems to have ground to a halt,” says Akhona Qengqe, General Manager of KFC Africa. 

The report showed that 68.4% of Sub-Saharan Africa's gender gap had been closed, only marginally higher than 68.2% in 2023 (https://apo-opa.co/3QEYGm5). South Africa, while being Africa's highest scorer and ranking 18th out of 146 nations, went backwards, from 78.7% in 2023 to 78.5% a year later. 

“The report says that at the current rate of progress, it will be 2158 until the world reaches full gender parity,” says Qengqe. “That's why we need to accelerate action, particularly in Africa, and why the efforts of the women on the KFC list are worthy of recognition and support.” 

In her seven years at KFC – she was as director of Africa franchise development, director of transformation and diversity and chief people officer before taking over as general manager in April 2023 – Qengqe has prioritised female empowerment. 

Her initiatives include spearheading KFC Add Hope, a women-led programme that serves free meals to tens of thousands of children at more than 3,000 feeding centres across South Africa. 

In 2021, she launched the Women on the Move leadership development programme, which prepares 22 women at KFC for future leadership positions every year, cultivating a pipeline of talent. Within two years, the number of female leaders in the business grew by 14%. 

Transforming franchising 

Last November she turned her attention to the wider quick service restaurant sector, launching Women in Franchising Africa (Wifa), the first network for current and aspiring female franchisees and franchisors across the continent. 

“To say I am passionate about the inclusion of women in growing our economies is an understatement. It is in fact one of my life's purposes,” she says. “My partners in Wifa intend to transform the participation of women in the franchising sector across African economies. 

“We want to educate women on how to run successful franchise businesses, provide networking opportunities for like-minded women, transform the sector by making funding accessible to women, and create mentorship opportunities for all the women in the network.” 

KFC Africa Chief People Officer Nolo Thobejane says “Accelerate Action” is a call to look at what has a positive impact on women's advancement and replicate it. 

“This is a journey we need to embark on together as we learn from each other. I cannot stress enough the importance of forming alliances and partnerships to amplify impact. By working together, organisations and individuals can share resources, knowledge, and support to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women.” 

“At KFC, we have implemented some programmes which have yielded great results – such as the Women on the Move Leadership programme to ensure the pipeline of leaders, developing them with quality education and training through initiatives like our Streetwise Academy and then providing career support into positions of leadership.” 

“Other successful initiatives organisations can implement include designing and building infrastructure that meets the needs of women and girls, involving them in sustainable agriculture, and elevating their participation and achievement in sport, as we do with KFC Mini Cricket.” 

“There's a lot we can do as individuals, too – we can call out stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias and celebrate women's success. Everyone everywhere can Accelerate Action.” 

Qengqe says the new list of 54 names brings to 107 the number of inspirational African women KFC has honoured and recognised in the past two years. “We know this is the tip of a wonderful iceberg, and we welcome nominations of other women who are Accelerating Action in Africa.” 

Explore the list of 54 women Accelerating Action across Africa: https://apo-opa.co/4heEjqM  

To nominate a woman Accelerating Action: Email: za-kfcafricamedia@yum.com 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.

For media inquiries and to arrange interviews with Akhona Qengqe and Nolo Thobejane: 
Elmarie Swart 
Phone number:  
WhatsApp: +44 7464739649 
South Africa: +27 79 831 2429 
Email: elmarie@kamuses.co.za 

KFC Socials: 
Instagram – @kfcsouthafrica - https://apo-opa.co/3FdDUap 
Facebook – @KFCSA - https://apo-opa.co/4hYOsJl 
TikTok – @kfcsa - https://apo-opa.co/4h83tHx 
X – @KFCSA - https://apo-opa.co/4h9pMMX 
YouTube – @KFCSouthAfrica - youtube.com/@KFCSouthAfrica 

About KFC Africa:
KFC has been in South Africa for over 53 years and has more than 1,300 stores across the country. The first KFC restaurant in South Africa opened in 1971 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg. KFC is the leading quick-service restaurant brand in South Africa with just under a third of market share, according to Brand Image Tracker. KFC serves more than 20 million customers a month and we work hard to ensure that no matter which of our restaurants they walk into, they will get that distinctive KFC flavour and have a great experience. KFC's Original Recipe® Chicken was first made by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1940 when he perfected his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices at his restaurant in Kentucky. Today, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant, still preparing our chicken with the Colonel's secret recipe to his exact standards. Every KFC restaurant follows the same global processes and procedures to ensure that our customers get great-tasting food, every time.  

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u.s. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to Deliver Keynote Address at 10th Powering Africa Summit

Location: News
EnergyNet Ltd.

Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Department of Energy, has been confirmed as a speaker and guest of honour at the 10th Powering Africa Summit (PAS), taking place at JW Marriott Washington, D.C. across March 6-7. This is an important step to provide an answer to the question that all of African energy is now asking: how will the new Administration approach the strategic energy relationship between the U.S. and Africa

Under the Summit theme, The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will deliver a keynote address at the 10th annual Powering Africa Summit. Wright will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of State: Ambassador Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs; Kimberly Harrington, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources; and Stephen Banks, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy, Bureau of Energy Resources. All will share their vision for this future relationship between African countries and the US-based investors that are so vital to realizing their energy ambitions.

“As Secretary of Energy, I am committed to unleashing all forms of affordable, reliable and secure energy here at home and advancing that mission of energy security around the world – and nowhere is that more critical than the continent of Africa. I look forward to joining the Summit to reaffirm the strategic energy partnership between the U.S. and Africa and share my vision for advancing innovation and removing barriers to energy access, both at home and around the world,” Secretary Wright said.

Ministers and governments from 19 African countries will arrive in Washington D.C., where the Africa Welcome Address will be given by H.E. Honourable Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria. Together with H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Liberia; H.E. Honourable Dr. Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria; H.E. Honourable Mahmoud Mustafa Esmat, Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Botswana; H.E. Honourable Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum, Kenya; and Amina Benkhadra, Director General, Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), Morocco, he will meet distinguished Ministers and leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Togo, Sierra Leone and more to drive energy development across the continent.

Flagship ministerial boardrooms and regional energy cooperation sessions will discuss and debate   derisking projects, South Africa's energy future, the need for West African regulatory reforms, and the role of hydrogen in North Africa. New areas of opportunity such as bitcoin mining and data centers will be discussed through an East African lens. The Mission 300 initiative, set to provide electricity access to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, is also high on the agenda.

The 10th Anniversary Gala Drinks Reception sponsored by Genesis Energy, will celebrate International Women's Day, ahead of March 8.

Critical to the week's discussions will be a host of private players including Alliant Insurance Services, GE Vernova, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment, Globeleq, Africa50, Nextracker, Schneider Electric, Newmarket Capital and the summit's general sponsor, Sun Africa, who are looking to a new future for the U.S.-Africa relationship.   

Sun Africa CEO, Adam Cortese said: “We are seeing a sea change in how the U.S. participates in foreign infrastructure development and our unique model of development is an excellent illustration of how U.S. energy companies can thrive in emerging markets on a strictly commercial basis. Sun Africa remains committed to harnessing Africa's immense energy resources through innovative structures, state-of-the-art technology and strong alliances while maintaining our long-standing market-based approach to development.  At Sun Africa, we believe energy development on the continent truly represents an opportunity for win-win partnerships and look forward to sharing our experience.”

Simon Gosling, MD of EnergyNet added: “This summit has always been about bringing together African countries seeking investment with U.S.-based investors who see the vast potential on the continent.  It is more important than ever to establish the crucial energy projects that Africa needs. PAS25 will put the continent center stage and make sure that both sides have a future relationship to be excited about.”

Media Credentials Requited for Powering Africa Summit

The Secretary will open the Summit on 6 March, delivering a Keynote Speech at 09:45, followed by a Fireside Chat with Mission 300 Accelerator CEO, Andrew Herscowitz.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd..

For more information, please get in touch with 
Poliana@EnergyNet.co.uk
Senior Marketing Manager

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Cabinet calls on men to sign pledge against GBVF

Location: News

Cabinet calls on men to sign pledge against GBVF

Cabinet has reiterated its call on South African men to join the initiative by President Cyril Ramaphosa to take a stand against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by signing the virtual pledge to take a decisive stand against the scourge.

President Ramaphosa launched the call to action by signing the pledge alongside men from all sectors of society in Pofadder, Northern Cape, during the 2024 Women's Day celebration on 9 August.

READ | President speaks out on gender-based violence

Briefing media on the outcomes of the Cabinet Meeting in Pretoria on Thursday, Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said by signing the pledge, men commit to be part of the solution by maintaining positive behaviour and attitudes, and to take responsibility for their actions.

“It also commits men to never raise a hand against a woman, to treat women as equals, respect their rights, and to treat them with dignity. Managing GBVF as a collective will result in healthier, safer and more peaceful communities in which women and children can thrive,” Ntshavheni said.

The virtual pledge can be signed at www.stateofthenation.gov.za/endGBVF

Cabinet has also commended the opening of the 65th Centre at the Mitchells Plain Hospital in Cape Town earlier this week, to support victims of GBVF.

Ntshavheni said government’s establishment of the Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country is a response to the urgent need for prevention, response and support for victims of violence, especially women and children.

Concern over teenage pregnancies

Cabinet has further urged society and parents to help solve the challenge of adolescent pregnancies, by reporting anyone who engages in sex with a minor (a child under the age of 16) as it is a criminal offence.

This follows concern over the alarming statistics of adolescent pregnancies, where children as young as 10 years of age are prematurely becoming parents.

“If the country does not work together to address this challenge of teenage pregnancies, women and young girls will continue to be trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, lack of educational and economic prospects,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 08/22/2024 - 13:04

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Men called to take decisive stand against GBVF

Location: News

Men called to take decisive stand against GBVF

Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, has called on men from all walks of life to join President Cyril Ramaphosa in signing the pledge to take a decisive stand against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

This comes after President Ramaphosa launched the call to action by signing the pledge alongside men from all sectors of society in Pofadder, Northern Cape, during the 2024 Women's Day celebration on 9 August.

The pledge commits men to be allies and part of the solution by maintaining positive behaviour and attitudes, and to take responsibility for their actions.

The pledge also commits men to never raise a hand against a woman, to treat women as equals, respect the rights of women, and to treat women with dignity.

Letsike commended the President’s commitment to the pledge.

“We are [calling on] all men, in all... [their] diversity -- in townships, in our villages, in our dorpies, and in suburbs, to sign this pledge and play an active role in our fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

“We can agree that no woman, no child, no LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or intersex), no person with disability, including men, deserves to die at the hands of other human beings, particularly men. We must end all kinds of violence in society, and [build] the safe, peaceful and secure communities that we deserve,” Letsike said.

The Deputy Minister reiterated that together, more can be done to build a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

“Your pledge is invaluable, and your impact will be felt by generations to come,” Letsike said.

The virtual pledge can be signed at https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/endGBVF. - SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Wed, 08/14/2024 - 13:24

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President Ramaphosa to address National Women’s Day Commemoration

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 9 August 2024, officiate the National Women's Day Commemoration hosted by the Khâi-Ma Municipality at Pofadder in Namakwa District of the Northern Cape.

The President will address the national commemoration of Women's Day under the theme "Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women's Development" at the Denis Nel Stadium in Pofadder.

The national event marks 68 years to the day since 20 000 women of diverse backgrounds from across South Africa marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

During 30 years of democracy, South Africa has made significant strides in advancing gender equality in all domains of society, including economic empowerment of women.

The Women's Charter advances women's economic programmes through targeted reforms that drive equality. 

Women's Day 2024 is the first national day led by the Government of National Unity and takes place in a rural community as part of including all South Africans in national events and placing a focus on the achievements and needs of women in all corners of the country.

President Ramaphosa will ahead of leading the commemoration at the Denis Nel Stadium tour a services-on-wheels exhibition of government services that will be provided to citizens attending the national day, as well as a trade expo featuring, small medium and micro enterprises led by women entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape Province. 

Details of the National Women's Day Commemoration are:
Date: Friday, 09 August 2024
Time: 10:00
Venue: Dennis Nel Stadium,Poffader, Northern Cape

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

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Africa Tech Festival 2024 Showcases Women Tech and Telecoms Leaders, Aims to Positively Impact Africa’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Gender Gap

Location: News

Africa Tech Festival
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When the 27th edition of Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com) kicks off on 12 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, the spotlight will be on the exceptional women shaping the future of technology and telecoms in Africa. With August marking the celebration of Women's Month in the host country, the event will proudly showcase many of the women leaders driving growth and innovation across the sector.

Taking place from 12 to 14 November, Africa Tech Festival 2024 incorporates AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, which will welcome a cumulative 15,000 visitors, more than 400 speakers, and over 300 exhibitors as it explores enterprise tech innovation and disruption across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud and data centres, and green ICT.

As the continent's leading platform for technology innovators, specialists, and thought leaders, Africa Tech Festival 2024's agenda includes several prominent female leaders who are making a significant contribution to the industry. Their expertise and insights will provide invaluable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Key speakers include:

“Africa Tech Festival provides the continent's tech ecosystems with a unique platform from which to collaborate and drive positive change. Building a more inclusive, sustainable world means uniting the world's most inspirational founders, business leaders, policymakers, investors, and rising stars, so we are delighted to see so many inspirational female tech executives featured in this year's speaker line-up. As we celebrate Women's Month, we look forward to their unique insights and contributions,” said Informa's James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.  

Organisers are confident that the presence of these female industry leaders at Africa Tech Festival will provide impetus to efforts by the industry to be more inclusive, highlighting the opportunities available to women in various sectors, providing insights for women wishing to embark on tech and telecoms careers, and showcasing the successes and contributions of women making their mark within the industry.

“Events such as Africa Tech Festival provide a platform for women to network and to gain exposure to more accomplished women in tech. These role models provide inspiration to women starting out in their careers that they can break the glass ceiling,” said Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne, who will be participating in the ‘Big Tech and Telcos: Collaborating on Digital Infrastructure Investment' keynote panel.

Speaking on the importance of mentorship for women entering the industry, Mary Mahuma, CIO, Southern Africa, Philip Morris said, “As a female industry leader, I see mentorship as a necessary reminder of our social responsibility to be empathetic, driven, inclusive, and resilient leaders. I am fortunate to have a female mentor who has significantly influenced my leadership style, thinking, and understanding of corporate dynamics and culture.” Mary will be a panellist on the ‘Nurturing Talent and Bridging Skills Gap: Building a Future-Ready Workforce in the Age of AI' panel.

“Women's contributions are significantly transforming the telecoms and technology landscape in Africa through innovation, leadership, and advocacy. Their contributions are not only advancing the industry but also driving social and economic development across the continent. By fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and advocating for inclusive policies, these women are transforming the tech landscape in Africa,” added Motunrayo Opayinka, Founder and CEO, Womenovate. Motunrayo will share her insights on the ‘Educational Equity Through AI: Tools for Advancing Education in Underserved Areas' panel. 

In addition, EQL:LOUNGE creates a space for women in tech to connect directly, and engage in meaningful dialogue, with high-calibre speakers in intimate settings hosting panel discussions, keynote addresses, and fireside chats. Taking place the evening before the event opens, InspiringFifty Africa is a prestigious awards ceremony focusing on recognising the top fifty women making significant strides within the African tech ecosystem.

Register now to secure your spot and join us in shaping the future of technology in Africa: https://AfricaTechFestival.com

In a special Women's Day offer, Africa Tech Festival is offering a 15% discount on Platinum Passes until midnight on 16 August. Passes can be purchased via this link, using the code NWD15 - https://apo-opa.co/3SAYyFh

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival: 
Africa Tech Festival, including anchor events AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite & The AI Summit Cape Town is part of the Informa Tech Connecting Africa event series.  

A vibrant celebration of Africa's diverse community of tech champions, Africa Tech Festival is the largest tech and digital connectivity conference and exhibition in Africa, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, more than 400 speakers and more than 15,000 delegates. 

Read moreAfrica Tech Festival 2024 Showcases Women Tech and Telecoms Leaders, Aims to Positively Impact Africa’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Gender Gap

My Journey: National Women’s Day at Good Hope Christian Centre

Location: Entertainment

Join us as we honor and celebrate Women this Women’s Day at Good Hope Christian Centre on Friday, 9 August at 9:30am. This year, our theme is “My Journey,” featuring an inspiring lineup of guests and activities. We are dedicated to honouring the unique paths and contributions of women – bringing together individuals from all …

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