WIA initiative presentation
The Women In Africa (WIA) initiative, officially launched in 2017, is an international platform for economic development and mentoring of African women leaders with strong potential. Its ambitions are twofold: to unleash the potential of a new generation of African female leaders at all levels of civil and government responsibility, and to connect African and international women leaders in the pursuit of an innovative and inclusive Africa.
WIA annual Summit
The third edition of the annual summit took place on 27 and 28 June around the theme: «How African women engage the world and create a new paradigm». Several sessions on the relationship with other continents were held: «Africa-Europe: Change the Game of our future Relationships», «Africa-Asia Dynamics», «Africa-Americas: Engaging America in a New Relationship with a More Visible Africa» and «African Women Agents of Change».
Many personalities took part in the discussions and workshops during these two days, among which: Ann Walker Marchant (CEO of The Walker Group), Rokia Traoré (singer ), Awa Ndiaye Seck (UN women), Viviane Onano (Leading Light Initiative), Aïssata Diakite (Holding Zabaan), Alyse Nelson (Vital Voices), Francine Ntoumi and Oby Ezekwesili (#BringBackOurGirls).
This Summit was also marked by the presentation of a new study on African women entrepreneurs.
Plenary view (Beldi Hotel, Marrakech) during the Women Initiative Summit (credits: Rémi Schapman)
Le programme WIA54
This summit highlighted 54 young women entrepreneurs from every country of the continent, selected from more than 1800 applications and following these themes: agriculture, digital, education, Fintech, health, environment and social innovation. This program allows these women entrepreneurs to network and gain maximum visibility through the social media channels of Women In Africa and partners.
Women entrepreneurs of WIA 54 program (credits: Rémi Schapman)
The founder of Maji Solutions, LaÏhanatou HAMA, was one of these 54 young talents, selected for the solutions brought by Maji Solutions to sanitation issues in West Africa and for its economic model.
Maji Solutions’ founder, Laihanatou HAMA, contributing during the WIA 54 bootcamp