Elevating the 21st Century African woman, the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network will be hosting their first annual Africa Summit on the 9th and 10th of March, 2022.

 Coinciding around International Women’s Day (8th March), the summit will convene – as both a hybrid and physical event - a unique mix of distinguished experts from across the African continent and bring together women looking for professional and personal development.

 The speaker line-up will address current pressing issues and offer expertise and solutions in various panel discussions highlighting the AfCFTA agreement, the Commonwealth Advantage, global challenges around leadership, international trade & e-commerce, financial inclusion and youth.  

 “We are humbled to be able to connect empowered women across the African continent and to take their inspirational voices and ignite change across a wider, global audience from one stage,” comments Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network Head of Communications, Shaaista Khan Osman.  “Even virtually, the summit aims to provide a powerful sense of community and provide the opportunity to discuss important issues that face women in business in Africa.”

Attendees will be enlightened with topics around fostering women leadership in legislative policy development; increasing opportunities for women in e-commerce and digital skills capacity; strengthening women-led businesses through funding and economic empowerment programs.

 As progressive voices in their fields of interest, a few of the confirmed speakers include Funmi Ogboe (founder and Managing Director of Zigma, an indigenous oil and gas services company in Nigeria), Dr Josephine Ojiambo (lecturer University of Nairobi, former DSG Commonwealth, former UN ambassador), Freda Miriklis (Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network Chair) and Nana Wanjau (Chairperson Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network, Kenya).

 “We are proud to host the first Africa Summit in Kenya and being a part of creating new partnerships and interactions,” shares Wanjau.  “After all the challenges of the previous years, we look forward to sharing our stories and further empowering the African woman.”   

 The summit will conclude with an appreciation and recognition of the continent’s most progressive voices that are positively impacting change within their respective industries.

 CBWN works towards women economic empowerment and leadership.  Adding a voice to the summit, Arif Zaman, CBWN Executive Director comments: “CBWN is a platform to upskill, empower and uplift women and to enable and encourage trade for women in business across the Commonwealth countries.  Africa is a continent rich in resources and knowledge and this summit will aim to harness the power and potential of women from diverse backgrounds, in order to drive economic growth and integration across Africa.”

CBWN’s mission is to build an effective organisation of women business professionals committed to the creative exchange and development of business.  This is achieved by empowering women in forging new business relationships, creating opportunities for trade and collaboration and aiding in the development of new skills and knowledge.

Date: 9 – 10 March 2022

Venue: Nairobi Serena Hotel and virtual

Register to attend the summit virtually at https://tickets.heroticket.co.za/thero/shops/df4911e/.  Limited tickets at Ksh 5,000 for in-person attendance in Nairobi are available for purchase via https://africasummit.cbwnkenya.org/index.php/registration/.

Keep updated on all news and announcements and follow the conversation on social media:

Facebook: @cbwnetwork

Instagram: @cbwnetwork

Website: www.cbwn.org

#CBWNAfricaSummit22

List of Speakers:

Keynote speakers:

Nana Wanjau (Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network Chairperson, Kenya)

Dr Josephine Ojiambo

Freda Miriklis (Chair Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network)

Dr Marube (CEO KEPROBA)

Sheila M’Mbijewe (Deputy Governor Central Bank)

Leadership Panel:

Fostering women leadership in legislative policy development, business and trade to elevate the 21st century African women

Chief Maseribane (Lesotho)

Mrs Funmi Ogbue (Nigeria)

Lerato Seleteng-Kose (Lesotho)

Mr Chaba Mokuku (Lesotho)

International Trade & E-Commerce Panel:

Adoption of a CBWN 10 point plan for increasing opportunities for women to trade internationally including e-commerce and digital skills capacity building.

Dr Marube (Kenya)

Eng Lightness Salema (Tanzania)

Mrs Matseliso Mapetla (Lesotho)

Technology as an enabler & Artificial Intelligence Panel:

Lebo Ramoreboli (Lesotho)

Joan Mbesya (Kenya)

Sheena Raikundalia (UK)

Rose Maghas

Financial Inclusion Panel:

Strengthening women-led businesses through funding, technical partnerships and alternative funding.

Dr Tinuade Ojo (South Africa)

Waithera Mwai (Kenya)

Mariam Cassim (South Africa)

Mathabo Makenete (Lesotho)

Shaaista Khan Osman (South Africa)

Mainstreaming Vulnerable Women Panel:

Mainstreaming in inclusive education, legislation and economic empowerment programs.

Mrs Nella Andem Rabana (Nigeria)

Elizabeth Bayoh (Sierra Leone)

Lucy Banda (Lesotho)

Mrs Olutosin Sodeinde (Nigeria)

Youth In Leadership & Trade Panel:

Nancy Amunga (Kenya)

Ally Baharoon (Tanzania)

Adey Jobe (Gambia)

Shirley Mohapi (Lesotho)

Dennis Munga (Kenya)

Millie Maina (Kenya)