Empowering Leadership, Women’s Month and Unlocking Potential

Welcome to Leading Africa Forward, our monthly newsletter featuring insightful conversations about corporate leadership and entrepreneurship in Africa, focusing on how to drive inclusive and sustainable growth on the continent. We will also showcase some trailblazing female leaders at the helm of impactful change on the continent and share updates on our activities. 

The Art of Efficient Implementation For Business Leaders

In the dynamic landscape of business, the ability to implement strategies is often the hallmark of successful leaders. Efficient implementation is about decisiveness, focus, and unwavering commitment to achieving strategic objectives. Here are some tips:

1. Strategic Prioritization: While clarity of vision is a necessity, execution demands prioritization. Not every task or initiative is equal in importance. Leaders must clearly prioritize activities that align with the overarching vision and objectives of the organization. 

2. Streamlined Processes: Continuously evaluate and streamline processes to eliminate waste and inefficiency. This could involve automating repetitive tasks, reengineering workflows, or leveraging technology to optimize operations. Organizations can execute with greater speed and precision by removing bottlenecks and friction points.

3. Data-Driven Decision Making: In today's data-rich environment, decisions should be driven by data rather than gut instinct alone. By leveraging data insights, organizations can mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities with greater confidence.

4. Accountability and Ownership: Establish clear roles and responsibilities, empower individuals to take ownership of their tasks, and deliver results. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms help ensure that everyone is aligned and accountable for their contributions toward the collective goals.

5. Adaptability and Resilience: The business landscape is inherently unpredictable, requiring leaders to be adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges. Do not stick rigidly to a predetermined plan; instead, try to pivot and course correct as needed while maintaining focus on the end goal.

6. Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging experimentation, learning, and adaptation. By embracing feedback and iterating on strategies, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

Women's Month: Our Lineup of Empowering Events

AWCN@CSW68

Our community members actively participated in various events during the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in New York. 

(In photos Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director, Sofia Calltorp Ambassador for Gender Equality, Sweden; Memory Zonde-Kachambwa, Executive Director, FEMNET; Dr Jemimah Njuki, Chief, Economic Empowerment, UN Women; Aya Chebbi Founder & President, Nala Feminist Collective and moderated by Shery Ahn, Bloomberg TV Anchor)

As Action Commitment Makers, we were invited to attend the UN Women Generation Equality’s foremost event, chaired by Dr. Sami Bahous, ED UN Women. The event emphasized driving feminist financing and accountability for women’s economic justice and eradicating women’s poverty, highlighting the pivotal role of multi-stakeholder partnerships and collective actions. Of note was the launch of the Accountability Report, which showcased progress on commitments and included impactful case studies.

(Highlights from AWLN Diapora event. In photos: Fatima Kyari Mohammed, H.E. Mme. AU WPS Bineta Diop, H.E. Amina Mohammed, H. E. Deniece L., H.E. Epsy Campbell, Ms. Dorothy Davis, Dr. Sindy Zemura-Bernard, Busie Matsiko-Andan, Tola St. Matthew-Daniel).

African Women Leaders’ Network (AWLN) launched its Diaspora branch, aiming to boost African women's leadership globally. The event attracted prominent figures like Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Bineta Diop, and Amina Mohammed, among others. Attendees included influential community members like Busie Matsiko-Andan and Tola St. Matthew-Daniel.

(Highlights from Women Lead Forum. (In photos: H.E Deemah AlYahya, H.E Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Hon Arielle Kayabaga, @sitsi Tabvuma, Busie Matsiko-Andan, Tola St. Matthew-Daniel, Lauren Rumble, Ogaufi Mampane, Dr. Diane Recinos, Inimfon Etuk, Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, Brenda Chikwe Mofya, Dr. Justina Mutale, Irene Kakooza, Farai Gundan, M.B.A. M.P.A (Harvard), Dr. Martha Agba, Dr Sindy Zemura-Bernard)

Dr. Sindy Zemura-Bernard , CEO of Southern Africa Embrace Foundation, hosted the inaugural Women Lead Forum New York Special Edition, marking its first event outside Africa. The round table brought together influential women leaders to discuss mobilizing efforts in strengthening institutions and financing for sustainability. 

(100 Women Davos event. Notable figures; Katja Iversen  CEO of Museum for the United Nations - UN Live; Chiara Corazza , Member of G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC)  and G20 EMPOWER Private Sector Representative for France; Neema K. Lugangira  of Parliament, Tanzania; Claudia Segre , Co-chair of W7 Italy G7 2024; Judit Arenas, Senior Director at APCO)

Finally, we participated in an insightful panel discussion titled "AI: A Gender-Lens Approach to Developing and Financing Innovation", hosted by 100 Davos Women. This session, which delved into inclusive strategies for AI and gender equality, was among the few exclusively focused on this emerging issue amidst several hundred parallel sessions.

Recognizing True Heroes

To celebrate International Women's Day and in commemoration of International Women's Month, ELOY Awards Foundation & Africa Women CEOs Network celebrated 50 Power People who Advocate for Women Empowerment & Inclusion in Africa.

Notable public figures and community members celebrated here include:

Dr. Tewa Onasanya Dist. Fellow, ILMMD, Ife Durosinmi-Etti, MBA, Folawe Omikunle, Dupe Olusola, Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Mispa FRI AWASUM (Ph.D in view, LLM, MSc, LLB, M.CIArb (UK), Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, Weyinmi (Wey) Eribo, Dr. Toyin F Sanni, Nkem Okocha, Janade Du Plessis, Nabou Fall, Dr. Naike Moshi, Sanda Ojiambo, Rosalind Kainyah MBE, Lois Auta, Oulimata Sarr, ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, Graça Machel Trust, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Thank you for your dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion. See the full list here.

Opportunities for Women-led Businesses

We kicked off activities for women's month with an informative thought-leadership session with Weyinmi Eribo, Director General of Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture, highlighting WCCIMA’s role in creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive regardless of the stage of their business. Find out more here.

Women in Business Luncheon

We rounded off women’s month at the Women in Business Luncheon, in collaboration with FNCCI and Zenith Bank, where we celebrated the strides made by women business leaders and advocated for greater inclusion.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

April 30; Masterclass: Unlock Your Global Potential

This introductory masterclass is exclusively curated for our AWCN community as a prelude to our upcoming “International Branding and Global Visibility” programme later this year. 

Take advantage of the early bird offer of ₦35,000 till April 15th and thereafter ₦40,000. Register here! For International payments contact us: [email protected]. Limited seats available.

What is AWCN?

We are a community of women leading businesses. This peer network helps women combat the “lonely-at-the-top" syndrome by supporting their professional growth through the provision of bespoke leadership development and access to business opportunities. Click here to join us To participate in our events, subscribe to our newsletter and follow Africa Women CEOs Network on LinkedIn