The event celebrated the achievements and resilience of women across Africa while addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Since its inception in 2016, the summit has evolved from a small gathering in Johannesburg to a powerful platform influencing discussions on gender equality, leadership, and economic empowerment. Forbes Africa Managing Director, Renuka Methil, reflected on this journey:

“The summit was born in a small ballroom in Johannesburg in 2016 with an intimate group of inspiring women in attendance. Today, we stand united as one Africa, working towards a common goal, creating a more equal and equitable continent. This brings us to our theme for today, ‘To the Power of 10 – The Rule Breakers in Africa’s Next Chapter.’

The timing of the summit coincided with the upcoming International Women’s Day on March 8th, amplifying the urgency to accelerate gender equality efforts.

SA’s Second Lady, Humile Mashatile, underscored the importance of urgent action, “Meeting just days before International Women’s Day is no coincidence. It is a reminder to celebrate achievements, acknowledge progress, and push forward with resilience. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerating Action,’ aligns perfectly with the goals of this summit.”

Despite notable progress, the summit highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly the gender gap in digital access. Visa Senior Vice President, Aida Diarra, shared alarming statistics, “Today, 30% of women have access to the internet compared to 42% of men. When it comes to mobile usage, an essential tool for commerce, 13% fewer women have access. The gap widens further with smartphones, where 28% fewer women own them. This disparity limits their business and employment opportunities.”

Diarra emphasised the economic potential of bridging this gap, stating that addressing digital inequality could generate an additional $15 billion in e-commerce revenue in Africa.

“There’s still a lot to be done in digital literacy, investment in women-led initiatives, and creating networking opportunities to ensure an inclusive digital economy.”

A highlight of the summit was its multi-generational approach, celebrating young talent and fostering future leaders. Methil expressed pride in identifying and nurturing emerging voices, “Change is always more impactful when done together. This year, our youngest on-stage participant is only 12 years old. One of our past speakers and award winners, a 22-year-old from Nigeria, is now a Nobel Peace Prize nominee for 2025. This is the kind of change we aim to drive.”

--ChannelAfrica--