The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit unveils 2026 speakers

What began as a convening of 100 women with a shared ambition has grown into a gathering of more than 1,000 founders, executives, policymakers, investors and creatives in one room. On March 18, marking International Women’s Month, the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit returns to Johannesburg and specifically to Sandton – Africa’s richest square mile. The 2026 edition carries the theme, The Voice, Vision, and Victories of Her Africa.

For a decade, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA has built a platform dedicated to documenting and amplifying leading voices across enterprises, capital markets, technology, sustainability and culture. The growth of the summit mirrors a broader economic shift across the continent, as women are increasingly influencing nation-building and shaping Africa’s growth trajectory.

“Our stage has hosted heads of state, billion-dollar founders, investors, activists and cultural architects who influence policy, capital allocation and market confidence across the continent. We are witnessing a structural shift in who builds enterprise and who shapes regulatory conversations. This summit exists to ensure that women’s authority is not only visible, but investable, scalable and globally competitive,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA.

The power line-up for 2026

The 2026 speaker line-up reflects the breadth of influence shaping Africa’s present and future, from capital markets and corporate boardrooms to creative industries and social impact platforms. This year’s speakers include trailblazers building global brands, ecosystem builders backing early-stage ventures, changemakers in technology reshaping community outcomes, and cultural czarinas shifting narratives. Among those confirmed are:

Penny Rey: Better known as Penny Coelen, she represented South Africa and won the Miss World contest in London in 1958.Mahlet Afework: as founder and creative director of MAFI MAFI, a sustainable Ethiopian fashion brand launched in 2011, she is positioning Ethiopian design on international platforms while advocating for sustainable African fashion ecosystems.Rachel Kolisi:An advocate for women's rights and social impact leader, she is driving measurable change in South Africa. Melissa Nyamuli: Miss Universe South Africa 2025, she is also a creative producer and founder of Chosi Chosi. Connie Mashaba: the Managing Director of Black Like Me, a pioneering South African haircare brand, she is a respected leader in business and social development. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: the founder of soleRebels, one of Africa’s most globally recognized sustainable footwear brands, she also founded Tefftastic, a brand celebrating Ethiopia’s renowned gluten‑free supergrain. She is also the driving force behind Oasis Motors advancing Ethiopia’s electric vehicle manufacturing.Akuvi: a Ghanaian Afro soul artist blending R&B, neo soul and Afrobeats, she has toured across Africa and Europe sharing stages with global artists.Zainab Jama: The reigning Miss World Somalia 2025 is also the founder of the Female Initiative Foundation.Lara Markthaler: South African alpine ski racer competing in the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.  

Additional speakers will be announced in the lead-up to the summit.

Conversations defining the 2026 summit

The 2026 program will examine how women in the C-suite are navigating economic uncertainty while building resilient, growth-focused institutions. Conversations will explore artificial intelligence in fintech, healthtech and agritech, alongside policy frameworks addressing ethics, gender equity and local data ownership.

Sustainability will feature prominently, spotlighting women advancing Africa’s green economy across energy, agriculture and conservation. Discussions will also address inclusivity in mental health, neuroscience and special needs development.

Additionally, the ‘Over 30 Under 50’ list-makers from the February/March 2026 issue of FORBES AFRICA, or women in their 30s and 40s shaping industries across business, entertainment and technology, will take the stage to discuss scale, disruption and ownership.

A defining element of the annual summit remains the emotive Spotlight segment featuring voices from across the continent, in which entrepreneurs, executives, creatives and community builders share personal stories of resilience and reinvention.

Honoring Africa’s female changemakers

The summit will culminate in the highly-celebrated FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards, recognizing women whose work has reshaped industries and influenced global narratives. Previous honorees include names like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Angelique Kidjo, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nomzamo Mbatha, Connie Ferguson and Graca Machel, among others. The awards recognize measurable achievement across business, technology, sports, entertainment and social impact.

The 2026 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is proudly presented by McDonald’s South Africa and official banking partner, ABSA South Africa. The Summit has also partnered with Stanford Seed Graduate School of Business and Eskom, with CNBC Africa as media partner.

The awards ceremony will culminate in a celebratory after-party.

Tickets for the 2026 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit and Awards are now available at: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1576335252. Limited seating is available.