Plenary: Women in Leadership:Driving Innovation, Catalysing Investments and Shaping Policy
At the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit, the Women in Leadership plenary emerged as a powerful showcase of African women's critical role in shaping policy, catalyzing investment, and driving innovation across sectors. The session opened with a keynote address by H.E. President Ntumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, the first woman elected to lead her country. Her address set a compelling tone, spotlighting Namibia’s strides toward gender equality, including a cabinet comprised of over 50% women and a commitment to supporting women-led enterprises. She emphasized that women “do not need charity—we need opportunity,” urging international partners and the private sector to invest in African women as partners and innovators, not just beneficiaries. President Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored Namibia’s zebra policy, gender-responsive budgeting, and strategic programs that support women in STEM, energy, and entrepreneurship—positioning Namibia as a model of inclusive governance and economic participation.
Following her address, the panel discussion, moderated by Hariana Veras, The Africa Correspondent at the White House, featured a dynamic group of women leaders: Nono Mafelane (Senior Director of Government Engagement for Southern & Eastern Africa at VISA), Tania Silva (CEO of Angola LNG Marketing Ltd), Liz Schwarze (Vice President of Global Exploration at Chevron), and Anne Aliker (Head of Client Coverage, Corporate & Investment Banking at Standard Bank).
Each panelist shared insights and lived experiences that underscored the plenary’s core message: women’s leadership is not just essential—it’s transformative. From increasing women’s visibility in boardrooms and parliaments to creating capital access for women entrepreneurs, the conversation highlighted actionable strategies for inclusive growth. Notably, discussions touched on investment funds tailored for women, mentorship programs in technical fields, and the need for systemic reforms to remove barriers that limit women's advancement.
Panelists emphasized that progress requires intentional partnerships, supportive policies, and a cultural shift that recognizes and values women’s contributions across the economic spectrum. They called for gender-responsive trade policies, such as those emerging under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and stressed the importance of educating girls in STEM to create a sustainable talent pipeline.
The session concluded with a unified call to action: to move beyond rhetoric and towards concrete investments, policy reforms, and programs that elevate women leaders. Echoing President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s words, “Your voice matters. Your vision is needed,” the plenary inspired a renewed commitment to building a future where African women are central to innovation, governance, and prosperity.
