Lagos hosts Africa women finance leadership summit

Lagos is set to become the epicenter of women's financial leadership in Africa with the upcoming inaugural Africa Women in Banking and Finance Conference and Awards (AWBFA) on May 8, 2026. This event is poised to be a landmark occasion, establishing a continental platform dedicated to celebrating and empowering women who are instrumental in shaping Africa's financial landscape.

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The initiative is a strategic continental platform designed not only to celebrate achievement but also to amplify the voices and journeys of women driving transformation across Africa’s financial services ecosystem.

Under the theme "Redefining Women’s Leadership in African Finance," the conference will gather over 200 influential figures. Attendees will include senior banking executives, policymakers, innovators, regulators, and development finance professionals from across Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Zambia, Uganda, and other nations. The AWBFA distinguishes itself by aiming to recognize not only prominent leaders but also the often-unsung professionals who are the backbone of financial institutions.

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The awards were created to inspire the next generation while also strengthening conversations around leadership, inclusion, and economic empowerment across the continent.

Organizers emphasize that the AWBFA is more than just an awards ceremony; it is a strategic initiative designed to amplify the journeys and contributions of women driving transformation in Africa's financial services. By fostering conversations around leadership, inclusion, and economic empowerment, the platform seeks to inspire the next generation of female leaders. The involvement of global institutions like the World Bank and the African Development Bank, along with representatives from financial hubs like New York, London, and Paris, underscores the initiative's significant reach and ambition.

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The programme would bring together speakers, judges, and nominees drawn from diverse parts of the global financial community, including representatives from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and institutions across New York, London, and Paris.