African Women Discuss their financial struggles, Innovations and Success on Forbes Leading Women Summit 3.0

Forbes Africa hosted women from across the globe on March 8th to celebrate, teach and inspire, to exchange knowledge and wisdom with one another. This year’s theme was women 3.0: The Icons and Ideas Shaping Africa.

The event began with a powerful speech by Forbes Africa Managing Editor, Renuka Methil, “let us ignite historic shifts for a common future. Ideas can’t win if they’re not heard, and in this room today, we will hear them, we will back them, and we will live them with courage, conviction and curiosity.”

Dr. Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa followed with her inspiring and informative speech, in which she discussed the struggles and challenges that women in Africa continue to face, the importance of creating space and opportunities for women, and her passion for science and technology, as well as how women in science are steadily growing.

“Despite the positive sentiments, there exists in our country and worldwide, terrible levels of gender inequality and brutal repression of women and girls,” said Dr Pandor in her speech.

“We can make change because today women can form unions,” said Pandor in her speech. 

The Minister also mentioned women’s potential to rise to the top and become leaders in their fields.

Topics such as The importance of African women were shared and discussed, how African women really help the African economy grow.

‘The Landscape Of Modern Wealth: Investing In The Missing Middle’!

“There’s been significant decrease between women who have access to economy growth than man in Africa” 

“Where financial literacy and financial inclusion plays a role, is to say how do we reach out, to all corners that are managing financiers?” – Edna Montse, Group Chief: Transformation & Sustainability Officer, African Ban

The Importance of exposure to financial education and Financial understanding- “there’s so much knowledge available now than previous generations.” 

With the internet at their fingertips, Gen Z has significantly greater access to financial information than previous generations.

Forbes women took to the stage to discuss ‘Money knows no gender: The hustle and heart of the Emerging Entrepreneur

They discussed their experiences and how they established successful businesses despite their gender.

“If we’re going to exist in this space, our role in this industry is to transform the communities we exist in. So for me purpose driven entrepreneurship is why I do what I do.” Vimbai Masiyiwa, Executive Director, Batoka Hospitality, Tanzania

Several speakers such as Lehlogonolo Mashaba, Nomcebo Zikode, Naseem Banu Lahri, and Aya Chebbi, took to the stage to share their inspirational stories, on they made it through the struggles and reaching their success and how they are still climbing the ladder.