By Prosper Mene
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has unveiled its headline speakers for the 12th edition of its annual Conference, Expo and Awards.
The event is scheduled to hold at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from November 10 to 11, 2026, and will convene over 60 African and global thought leaders from business, government and politics.
This year’s theme is “Beyond Access: Owning Capital, Markets and Power.” The two-day gathering will bring together policymakers, investors, development organisations, women entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders to dialogue, network and collaborate on accelerating the growth of women-owned and women-led businesses across Africa.
According to organisers, AWIEF 2026 will focus on what it takes to move beyond access to ownership and influence for women in Africa’s economies, with emphasis on capital, markets, leadership and innovation.
Keynote Speakers
Three global women leaders will deliver keynote addresses and participate in fireside chats.
They are Rania Al-Mashat, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). An Egyptian economist, Al-Mashat served eight consecutive years as a cabinet minister in Egypt from 2018 to 2026, holding portfolios including Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister of Tourism.
Magda Wierzycka, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sygnia Limited, a JSE-listed South African financial services group and leading provider of passive investment solutions, savings products, stockbroking and administration services. She is also a partner at Braavos Investment Advisers LLP in the UK and was named by Forbes as one of Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women in 2020.
And Dr. Judy Dlamini, Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). A medical doctor by training, Dlamini is a businesswoman, author and philanthropist. She is the Executive Chairperson of Mbekani Group and Founder of the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship Fund (FALF).
The conference will also feature high-level speakers from international institutions, diplomacy, finance, academia, technology and business, who will lead panel discussions, masterclasses and workshops focused on strengthening enterprises, scaling businesses and navigating African and global supply chains.
The 2026 edition will include an exhibition showcasing businesses and organisations, the Pitch n Grow competition featuring 12 outstanding women founders from across Africa building scalable tech solutions, and the AWIEF Awards ceremony celebrating excellence in women entrepreneurship on November 11.
Tickets for the AWIEF 2026 Conference, Expo and Awards are now available. For enquiries, contact info@awieforum.org.
