11th year of showcasing outstanding women's achievements:
What started as a conference of 100 women with shared ambition has turned into a gathering of over 1,000 founders, executives, policymakers, investors and creatives in one room.
On March 18, marking International Women's Month, the Forbes Women Africa Leading Women's Summit returns to Johannesburg and specifically to Sandton – Africa's richest square mile. The theme of the 2026 edition is The Voice, Vision and Victories of Her Africa.
For a decade, Forbes Women Africa has built a platform dedicated to documenting and amplifying leading voices in enterprise, capital markets, technology, sustainability and culture. The summit's growth reflects broader economic shifts across the continent, as women are increasingly influencing nation-building and shaping Africa's development path.
“Our platform has hosted heads of state, billion-dollar founders, investors, activists and cultural architects who influence policy, capital allocation and market confidence across the continent. We are seeing a structural shift in who builds enterprises and who shapes the regulatory conversation. This summit exists to ensure that women's empowerment is not only visible, but investable, scalable and globally competitive,” says Renuka Maithil, managing editor of Forbes Africa. Are.
Lightning line-up for 2026
The 2026 speaker line-up reflects the breadth of influence shaping Africa's present and future, from capital markets and corporate boardrooms to creative industries and social impact platforms. This year's speakers include pioneers building global brands, ecosystem builders supporting early-stage ventures, technology disruptors reshaping community outcomes, and cultural moguls changing narratives. Among those confirmed are:
Penny Rae: Known as Penny Collen, she represented South Africa and won the Miss World pageant in London in 1958.
Mahlet Afewerk: As the founder and creative director of MAFI MAFI, a sustainable Ethiopian fashion brand launched in 2011, she is establishing Ethiopian design on international platforms while advocating for a sustainable African fashion ecosystem.
Rachel Kolisi: A women's rights advocate and social impact leader, she is driving measurable change in South Africa.
Melissa Nyamuli: Miss Universe South Africa 2025, she is also a creative producer and founder of Chosi Chosi.
Connie Mashaba: Managing Director of Black Like Me, a leading South African haircare brand, she is a respected leader in business and social development.
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: Founder of SoleRebels, one of Africa's most globally recognized sustainable footwear brands, she created Ethiopia's famous Gluten? Also founded Teatastic, a brand celebrating free supergrains. He is also the driving force behind Oasis Motors, driving Ethiopia's electric vehicle manufacturing.
Akuwi: A Ghanaian Afro Soul artist who blends R&B, Neo Soul and Afrobeats, she has toured across Africa and Europe sharing the stage with global artists.
Zainab Jama: The reigning Miss World Somalia 2025 is also the founder of the Female Initiative Foundation.
Lara Markthaler: South African alpine ski racer competing at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Additional speakers will be announced in the lead up to the summit.
The conversations that will define the 2026 summit
The 2026 program will examine how women in the C-suite are coping with economic uncertainty while building resilient, development-focused institutions. The conversation will explore artificial intelligence in fintech, healthtech and agritech, along with policy frameworks addressing ethics, gender equality and local data ownership.
Sustainability will be featured prominently, highlighting women driving Africa's green economy in energy, agriculture and conservation. The discussions will also touch on inclusivity in mental health, neuroscience and special needs development.
Additionally, the 'Over 30 Under 50' list-makers from the February/March 2026 issue of Forbes Africa, or women aged 30 and 40 who are shaping industries in business, entertainment and technology, will take to the stage to discuss scale, disruption and ownership.
A defining element of the annual summit is the emotional Spotlight segment featuring voices from across the continent, with entrepreneurs, executives, creatives and community builders sharing personal stories of resilience and rebuilding.
Honoring Africa's Women Changemakers
The summit will culminate with the highly prestigious Forbes Women Africa Awards, honoring women whose work has reshaped industries and influenced global narratives. Previous honorees include names like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Angelique Kidjo, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nomzamo Mbatha, Connie Ferguson and Graça Machel. The awards recognize measurable achievement in business, technology, sports, entertainment and social impact.
The 2026 Leading Women Summit is proudly presented by McDonald's South Africa and Official Banking Partner, ABSA South Africa. Summit has also partnered with Stanford Seed Graduate School of Business and Eskom.
The awards ceremony will conclude with a celebratory party.
Tickets for the 2026 Forbes Women Africa Leading Women Summit & Awards are now available at: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1576335252. Limited seating available.