#WIAsummit: "When women connect with each other, a unique magic happens" - Hafsat Abiola

2 Oct 2018

MARRAKECH: The second World Summit of Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative commenced on Thursday, 27 September at the Beldi Country Club in Marrakech, Morocco.

Photographer: Rémi Schapman

The WIA Initiative marks the first international platform dedicated to economic development and in support of high-potential African women.

The two main ambitions of the Initiative are to reveal the potential of the new generation of African women leaders and to network African and international women leaders in the service of an innovative and inclusive Africa.

The 2018 cross-cutting theme of this second annual world summit embodies this dual ambition and the current transformation of the continent: 'Watch Africa with confidence, trust in its talents'.

During this first day, the 480 women and men, from 70 countries (including 52 African), attended and participated in varied and complementary programs to feed their thoughts, enrich their networks and their knowledge on the key topics and carriers of Africa.

"We believe that when women connect with each other, a unique magic happens," said Hafsat Abiola, WIA Initiative president. "This year, one of our two major themes is trust. We must trust in ourselves and others, with the conviction that we have the power to turn our dreams and visions into reality."

The first plenary declined a crucial topic for the empowerment of African women: 'Trust in Africa and women'. In the afternoon, six African women leaders from the diaspora shared their experiences and witnessed personal or professional circumstances that led them to return to Africa rather than elsewhere and allowed them to succeed.

During this event, 200 participants took part in a reflection to identify solutions to encourage, support and promote women's entrepreneurship in Africa.

"Do we need women and the WIA Initiative? Yes, because we know we are the key to developing entrepreneurship and women's leadership in Africa. Through your dynamism, you are a model for our girls. Wherever women enter the continent, they enable the economies of their countries to grow."