The eagerly awaited countdown to the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit 2026 has begun, as Africa’s most influential female leaders prepare to gather at the Sandton Convention Centre on March 18.
Now in its 11th edition, the summit has become more than an event, it’s a reflection of how women across the continent are redefining leadership, shaping boardrooms, steering policy, building enterprises, and transforming culture.
Under the theme “The Voice, Vision, and Victories of Her Africa”, this year’s summit will explore how women leaders are navigating economic uncertainty, advancing artificial intelligence in high-growth sectors, championing ethical and gender-responsive policies, driving sustainability initiatives, and expanding access to capital for scalable ventures.
“Women are no longer seeking entry into boardrooms, they are shaping them,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.
“They are influencing investment, leading regulatory discussions, building enterprises that compete internationally, and redefining governance standards. The summit has become a place where that authority converges.”
For leaders across Africa, recognition is more than prestige, it’s economic leverage. Since 2016, the platfrom has spotlighted trailblazers across business, policy, sport, entertainment, and social impact, creating a visible pipeline of women whose influence spans the continent and beyond. Past honourees include global policy leaders Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Amina J. Mohammed, enterprise pioneer Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, and cultural icon Tiwa Savage.
“Influence is relational,” says Roberta Naicker, CEO of FORBES AFRICA.
“When credible leaders connect in one room, opportunities move faster. Bringing this calibre of leadership together allows attendees to build network equity that translates into tangible impact.”
This year, the summit is supported by partners who share its commitment to leadership and economic progress. McDonald’s South Africa returns as presenting partner, and ABSA South Africa as official banking partner, with Stanford Seed Graduate School of Business and Eskom joining as strategic collaborators, reinforcing the summit’s focus on enterprise growth, financial leadership, and sustainability.
Saturday Star