THE THIRD edition of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) conference and exhibition event will focus on pushing forward the campaign of the pan-African women’s economic empowerment organisation and business network to accelerate the economic empowerment and advancement of women and girls on the continent. The theme of AWIEF 2017 is “Equity, Impact and Inclusive Growth towards Agenda 2030”.

Scheduled to take place at Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, on October 5-6, the interactive sessions have been designed to bring together Africa's next generation of emerging and leading women in business, entrepreneurs, SMEs and MSMEs, corporate companies and business service providers, investors, government officials, international organisations and NGOs.

“AWIEF is your perfect platform to launch a new service or product with government and C-suite corporate executives and decision-makers in attendance and paying attention,” said AWIEF Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Irene Ochem.

​Two-day Conference Focus

The two-day conference will incorporate knowledge and experience-sharing panel discussions, keynote speeches, workshops and breakout sessions covering a variety of topics across different themes.

The exhibition also offers an opportunity for all-sector business services, companies, corporate entities, startups and women-owned enterprises to showcase their products, technologies, innovations, solutions and contributions to the continent’s economy and society. There will also be ample opportunities for small business owners to interact with prominent business leaders, investors and corporate organisations.

This year AWIEF introduces the AWIEF Awards to recognise, honour and celebrate Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners across sectors in Africa for their economic performance and contribution to Africa’s growth and development. AWIEF will salute these women for their passion and determination in making a difference in their countries and on the continent. The AWIEF Awards cover emerging and established entrepreneurship in the private and not-for-profit sectors.

​Speakers at the Conference

Some of the global speakers at the AWIEF conference include, Lindiwe Zulu, South African Minister of Small Business Development, Waheed Olagunju, Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Nigeria; Judy Dlamini, Founder and Executive Chairman, Mbekani Group, South Africa; Mohau Pheko, CEO, The Mohau Group and former South African Ambassador to Japan and Canada; Michelle Olckers, Managing Partner, Mazars, South Africa; Marek Zmyslowski, Frontier and Emerging Markets Online Business Expert, HotelOlga, Nigeria; Farai Simoyi, President and Creative Director, Farai Inc., USA; Jeanne Groenewald, Founder and Managing Director, Elgin Free Range Chickens, South Africa; Annette Rosencreutz, CEO, Brandflight AB, Sweden; Tim Harris, CEO, WESGRO, South Africa; Nozipho January-Bardill, Executive Director, Bardill and Associates and former South African Ambassador to Switzerland; Sharron MCpherson, Founder and Executive Chair, Women’s Enterprise Development Initiative, South Africa; Sarah Collins, Founder of Wonderbag, South Africa; Swaady Martin, Founder and CEO YSWARA, South Africa; Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe, CEO, The Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign, South Africa; and Bulelwa Makalime-Ngewana, CEO, Cape Town Partnerships, South Africa.

The 2017 AWIEF event is organised with the support and participation of African Development Bank (AfDB); South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); WESGRO; UN Women; UNDP; Mazars; Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Southern African – Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (SANEC); Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); Bank of Industry, Nigeria; among other partners.

As a build-up to this year’s event, AWIEF celebrated International Women’s Day with UN Women on 8 March 2017. AWIEF is committed to #LeaveNoWomanBehind and to a Global Agenda for AWIEF 2017. We are enlisting on board women’s business associations and networks across the continent and beyond.

Join us at Africa’s No. 1 female entrepreneurship and innovation event as partner, sponsor, exhibitor, delegate and visitor.

Dates and Venue

Conference and Exhibition: 5 – 6 October 2017
Venue: Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
AWIEF Awards and Gala: 6 October 2017