Exceptional speaker lineup at the 10th edition of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit on March 5 2025

The brightest female achievers and trailblazers from across Africa and beyond are set to convene at the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, on March 5 2025.  

A dynamic and diverse group of inspiring speakers, from various sectors, will share invaluable insights, empower the audience and ignite change at the 10^th instalment of the summit. The theme for this milestone year is To The Power Of 10: The Rule-Breakers In Africa’s Next Chapter.^. From pioneers in business to game-changing entrepreneurs and Grammy-award-winning artistes, the day promises to be all about inspiration and influence.

Fresh from winning her second Grammy in February, Tems is a groundbreaking global phenomenon with over 90 award nominations. As the first African woman to notch five Billboard hits, she has amassed over 5 billion streams worldwide across all platforms and 300-million YouTube views. The songstress is set to give us insights into her success, the music industry and the growth of Africa’s creative economy.

Also in attendance will be Amanda Akokhia, an acclaimed fashion and beauty photographer based in London. Joining her on a panel will be Jackline Acheampong, known as Gyakie, a Ghanaian R&B and Afro-fusion singer best known for her hit singles Forever and Something. The speaker lineup also includes Nigerian businesswoman, philanthropist and the continent’s richest woman, Folorunso Alakija, the founder of The Rose of Sharon Group and executive vice chair of Famfa Oil Limited. Nigerian footballer Ashleigh Plumptre will be sharing her journey about purpose, passion, and building a legacy that inspires far beyond the game. Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa will also be present with her powerful message of beauty, confidence, and authenticity. Renowned environmentalist Wanjira Mathai will share her lessons on nature’s beauty, wonder and power in a special segment called FORBES WOMAN AFRICA’s The Unstoppables. 

“When the Leading Women Summit started in 2016, it was held in a small ballroom in South Africa with just 100 attendees, primarily from within the country. Over the years, the summit has expanded, attracting participants from all over Africa. Today, we have the entire continent represented. What is truly heartening is that Africans in the diaspora, and anyone with an affinity for Africa, also now want to be part of the summit. As the editorial curators and organizing teams behind this event, the most powerful aspect is seeing how the summit brings together a dynamic community of influencers and leaders from the world to Africa,” says  FORBES AFRICA’s Managing Editor Renuka Methil.

From fireside chats and robust panel discussions to powerful spotlight segments and exciting performances, the day-long summit will showcase an impactful decade, concluding with the prestigious FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards, honoring women who have made remarkable strides in their careers. The awards categories include Young Achiever, Technology and Innovation, Social Impact, Youth Icon, Academic Excellence, Sports, Champion of Change, Entertainer, Media Icon, Businesswoman of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.

#LWS2025, proudly brought to you by McDonald's and presented by VISA, with ABSA as the official banking partner, is more than just a summit — it's also an immersive experience filled with dynamic activations to engage and inspire attendees.

"The 2025 Leading Women Summit is a powerful testament to the impact and influence of women across industries,” says Roberta Naicker, Managing Director of Africa Business News (ABN Group). “The incredible lineup of speakers reflects the strength, resilience, and leadership of women who are shaping the future. It is also inspiring to see corporate South Africa, like McDonalds South Africa, VISA and ABSA, standing alongside us, recognizing that real progress in women empowerment requires collective effort. Their commitment reinforces the importance of platforms like this, where meaningful conversations turn into action and lasting change."

The event will once again bring the best of the magazine’s award-winning editorial content to the live stage and resonate across FORBES AFRICA’s multiple platforms. From global billionaires to A-list celebrities and corporate titans, this year’s event promises to be one no one wants to miss.  

For more information on the event, please visit https://leadingwomensummit.co.za/. Tickets are currently on sale at www.webtickets.co.za. To book a table of 10, please email christa.swanevelder@abn360.com

The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is presented by McDonald’s, and powered by Visa with ABSA as the official banking partner

Hashtags:

#LWSummit2025

#ToThePowerofTen

#ForbesWomanAfricaAwards2025

About ABN Group

The ABN Group (African Business News) is a media organization that provides business and financial content across Africa, including CNBC Africa and FORBES AFRICA. The group focuses on delivering market insights, analysis, and coverage of economic developments, catering to business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs across the continent.