“This summit has always been a space to further existing discussions around women — whether in business, society, sports, technology, civil society, government, or the arts. It’s also a place to ignite important conversations around topics that have yet to be unpacked,” says Renuka Methil, managing editor, FORBES AFRICA.
“We’re excited to announce a few of the panel topics that audiences can look forward to at the next instalment,” Methil adds. “Visionaries from Africa and across the globe will shed new light on entrenched challenges while bringing insight into new opportunities in technology and overlooked areas.”
On the agenda at the 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit
According to the summit, it will give attendees a chance to meet the cover stars of the February / March 2023 issue of FORBES AFRICA.
The magazine says that these inspirational women are trailblazers in making the first 50 Over 50 cover, female powerhouses who are shifting the narrative in their 50s and beyond. These leaders will be at the summit — as definitive role models of success — sharing lessons on how others can win by staying the course.
Participants will be able to learn more about the new wealth creators who will be sharing their insights on how to create money and meaning in today’s time. Conversations will also veer towards:
- Web 3.0
- the blockchain, and
- the metaverse — and how these technologies will define industries while giving a sneak peek at the women leading them.
The summit says there will be panel discussions specific to the regional contexts as audiences can dwell on emerging female entrepreneurs and SMEs across different pockets of Africa. Questions they’ll answer include:
- What has their recovery mode been post-pandemic? and
- Who are the survivors and thrivers forging their way ahead despite the odds stacked against them?
The ramifications of food insecurity will also be unpacked as climate change will dictate how this continent will feed itself, adds the summit.
Agritech will reign too as new innovations unfold for the continent’s tireless farmers. In addition, a mix of trailblazers from the following sectors will all feature at the summit:
- fintech sector
- fashion sector
- beauty sector
- mining sector, and
- liquor sectors.
The summit says this is a unique chance to meet them, hear them and see them live at the annual event.
Apart from these pertinent panel discussions, the 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit will feature:
- talks
- fireside chats, and
- one-on-one interviews with sector-specific barrier-breakers from Africa and the world.
The annual event attracts industry leaders from across the globe. Some of the voices heard at last year’s two-day, virtual FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, included
- Monica Geingos, the first lady of Namibia
- Tanzania’s first female president Samia Suluhu Hassan, and
- Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers South Africa.
It was here that Mlambo-Ngcuka, former head of United Nations Women, founder of Umlambo Foundation and winner of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Lifetime Achievement Award, says, “We hope that through initiatives like these, we can mobilise more women to be in solidarity and to see that we can protect women. I hope that women are sent to positions of leadership where they can make different decisions about the future of humanity.”
Other inspired speakers have included the following:
- director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
- chief economist of the IMF Gita Gopinath
- British actor and UNHCR Goodwill ambassador Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and
- miss universe 2022 Harnaaz Sandhu.
The importance of such female-led summits cannot be overstated, according to the magazine.
Ruwayda Redfearn, Deloitte Africa board chairperson, adds, “If we bring a gender lens, we can work together to solve many of the problems that our economy and our continent is facing. Working together is critical in making sure women are included in every single conversation that we have. This will go a long way to solving many of our economic issues.”
Attendees to the 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit can look out for more heavy hitters set to be unravelled in the coming weeks.
After a full day of engaging on critical issues and unlocking new opportunities, the summit will culminate in the 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards, a ceremony where the most accomplished leaders and luminaries will be honoured for their impactful work.
The award categories will include:
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Young Achievers Award
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Social Impact Award
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Technology & Innovation Award
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Academic Excellence Award
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Sports Award
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Entertainer Award
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Businesswoman Award, and
- The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit:
- When: Wednesday, 8 March 2023
- Where: Sun Bet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa
- Time: 09:00 – 16:00
- Theme: Women 3.0: The Icons and Ideas Shaping Africa
The 2023 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards:
- When: Wednesday, 8 March 2023
- Where: Sun Bet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa
- Time: 19:00 – 23:00
Ticket prices
- Summit: R1 500
- Dinner: R1 500
- Full Access: R 3 000
- Table Bookings: contact the events team for more information.
- Tickets are available through Webtickets.
For more information, visit www.leadingwomensummit.co.za. You can also follow the Leading Women Summit on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Women 3.0: The Icons and Ideas Shaping Africa FORBES AFRICA 50 Over 50 cover #LWSummit2023
