By Sarah NEGEDU
African women leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs will converge on Ghana later in November, to discuss pathways for advancing gender equity, leadership and sustainable development across the continent.
The women will be participating in the 2025 African Women Conference, AWC, a platform which organisers say is designed for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and partnership building aimed at strengthening women’s participation in governance, innovation, and economic empowerment.
According to Co-Convener of the African Women Conference Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, this year’s high-level gathering is themed “Legacy Meets Innovation: Women Forging New Pathways for Africa’s Sustainable Development.”
Ahmadu, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said the 9th edition of the AWC will attract distinguished personalities including First Ladies, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Civil Society Leaders and Women in Business from various African countries.
She explained that the decision to host this year’s edition in Ghana followed extensive consultations with partners and regional coordinators across Africa.
“This decision to shift the conference from South Africa to Ghana follows broad consultations with partners, delegates, and regional coordinators across Africa. The shift is not a deviation but a strategic step to enhance accessibility, inclusiveness, and participation—core values on which AWC was founded,” the statement noted.
She added that the choice of Ghana reflects the country’s enduring commitment to democracy, inclusivity and the empowerment of women, noting that this year’s conference will focus on digital inclusion, climate resilience, leadership mentoring and financing for women-led enterprises, which are critical areas shaping Africa’s development agenda.
The three-day event is expected to produce a Joint Communiqué and Action Framework to guide national and regional policies towards deepening gender inclusion and institutional reforms that uplift women and girls across Africa.
The statement recalled that previous editions of the African Women Conference have been hosted by Namibia, Morocco, Rwanda, The Gambia, Ethiopia and Zambia, while Nigeria is projected to host the 10th edition in 2026.
Since inception, the AWC has served as a rallying point for African women to share experiences, strengthen solidarity and drive the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.
