Abuja is set to become the epicenter of continental trade as the African Union (AU) and ImpactHER announce the second edition of the Global African Women Sustainability Conference (GAWSC) 2026. From April 29 to May 1, 2026, over 3,000 women entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers will gather to redefine women’s roles in Africa’s economic landscape.
Rethink, Reinvent, Regenerate Under the ambitious theme “Women Entrepreneurs as Architects of Global Africa’s Sustainable Future,” the conference aims to shift the narrative from small-scale subsistence to large-scale industrial impact. The event targets high-level synergy between:
-
The Private Sector: Senior leaders and innovators from across the diaspora.
-
Finance Giants: Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and private investors looking for high-potential ventures.
-
The Public Sector: Government officials and policymakers focused on cross-border trade.
Breaking Barriers: A Fully Sponsored Event In a significant move to ensure inclusivity, Efe Ukala, Founder of ImpactHER, revealed that participation is fully sponsored. This decision is aimed at removing the structural and financial hurdles that often prevent women-led startups from accessing high-level networking and advisory services.
What’s on the Agenda? The three-day summit is designed as a practical “engine room” for business scaling, offering:
-
Executive Panels & Workshops: Focused on climate resilience and inclusive growth.
-
Direct Support: Access to brand development support, digital growth tools, and tailored business advisory.
-
Investment Mobilization: Curated sessions to bridge the gap between female founders and global capital.
-
Exclusive Benefits: Specialized travel support for international participants coming from the global diaspora.
The Bigger Picture Efe Ukala highlighted that the continent’s future rests on women’s participation. “When women entrepreneurs are equipped with capital and markets, they drive innovation and expand industries,” she stated. By fostering cross-border collaboration, the GAWSC 2026 aims to cement Africa’s position as a leader in the global sustainability agenda, proving that women are not just participants, but the primary architects of the continent’s prosperity.
