African Women Rally for Economic Power, Inclusive Leadership at Nairobi Summit

 

Photo Caption: Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss Shollei addresses delegates during the opening of the Women Achievers Africa Conference and Awards (WACA) 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Nairobi, July 28, 2026.

NAIROBI, July 28 - African women leaders have renewed calls for greater economic empowerment, inclusive leadership and stronger mentorship for girls, urging governments, the private sector and development partners to dismantle barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in decision-making and economic growth across the continent.

The call was made during the opening of the three-day Women Achievers Africa Conference and Awards (WACA) 2026 in Nairobi, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, development partners and delegates from across Africa to deliberate on advancing women’s leadership and socio-economic development.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss Shollei said women continue to play a central role in driving economies, particularly in agriculture and small businesses, yet many remain excluded from controlling the wealth they help create.

“You go to the countryside and find women milking cows, feeding livestock and doing all the work. It is only when the produce is sold that the money does not come to the women,” she said, stressing the need for stronger economic empowerment programmes to bridge the gap.

Shollei noted that although Kenya has made progress in promoting women’s leadership, the constitutional requirement on the two-thirds gender principle remains unrealised despite several legislative and judicial efforts.

She said Parliament has nonetheless taken steps to make public institutions more inclusive, including introducing nursing facilities for breastfeeding Members of Parliament and improving accessibility for persons living with disabilities.

Photo Caption: Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss Shollei (centre) poses for a group photo with women delegates during the opening of the Women Achievers Africa Conference and Awards (WACA) 2026 at a Nairobi hotel on  July 28, 2026.

The Deputy Speaker further raised concern over the rise in online gender-based violence, saying women leaders are increasingly subjected to disproportionate criticism on social media compared to their male counterparts.

Women Achievers Africa Chairperson Betty Adera said the conference was founded on the belief that Africa’s future would be shaped by women who lead with resilience, innovation and collaboration.

“Africa is home to extraordinary women who lead governments, businesses, communities and families. Every woman carries a story of hope, resilience and perseverance,” she said.

Adera urged participants to use the conference to build partnerships and share experiences beyond the formal sessions, saying meaningful conversations often take place during networking engagements.

She described the Women Achievers Africa Awards as a platform that recognises women whose leadership, courage and innovation continue to transform communities across the continent while inspiring the next generation of girls.

Quoting an African proverb, Adera reminded delegates that, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,” adding that true leadership should be measured by the opportunities created for others.

Women Achievers Africa Global Country Representative Mildred Opondo disclosed that organisers nearly cancelled the conference after encountering financial and logistical setbacks before receiving last-minute support that enabled the event to proceed.

“At some point we were about to call off this conference because everything was not going according to plan. But women believed, prayed and stood together until this vision became a reality,” she said.

Opondo challenged women to pursue leadership positions and actively mentor young girls, saying sustainable progress would only be achieved if more women occupied spaces where policies and decisions are made.

“We need women writing laws, running companies and making decisions. Don’t let others make decisions on your behalf,” she said.

She also appealed to governments, development partners and the private sector to increase investment in women’s entrepreneurship, access to finance and mentorship programmes, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

KCB Group Director of Marketing Rosalind Gichuru said the bank continues to strengthen women’s financial inclusion through deliberate investments in leadership and enterprise development.

She revealed that women entrepreneurs had accessed Sh160 billion by March this year under KCB’s Sh250 billion Female Led and Made Enterprises (FLME) programme.

“When women say there is no access to capital, I say they have not come to KCB. Formalise your business, build a relationship with the bank and we will walk that journey with you,” she said.

Gichuru added that women account for 47 per cent of KCB Group’s workforce, while the bank continues to implement leadership development, mentorship and scholarship programmes to increase women’s representation in senior management and support young women pursuing education and entrepreneurship.

The conference will continue over the next three days with discussions on women’s leadership, economic empowerment, peace and security, technology, climate resilience, health and mentorship before culminating in the Women Achievers Africa Awards.