Across Africa, women are building businesses that create jobs and grow economies, leading organisations and institutions that shape industries and communities, and developing solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Yet across a continent of 54 countries, the networks, markets and opportunities that could help these women go further often remain separated by borders. What happens when we bring more of them into the same room? This November, Lusaka becomes that room.
On November 13 and 14, 2026, the PAWEN Summit & Awards 2026 will bring women from across Africa to Zambia for a Pan-African gathering centred on enterprise, leadership and cross-border networks. The message behind this year’s gathering is simple and bold: Africa is coming to Zambia.
Hosted across the New Government Complex and InterContinental Hotel Lusaka, the event will feature a free summit, a Pan-African Trade Exhibition and the PAWEN Awards Gala, creating three distinct ways to learn, do business and celebrate African excellence. For the Pan African Women Empowerment Network (PAWEN), the ambition goes beyond hosting another conference. “There is extraordinary work being done by women across Africa, but too often we are building within separate markets, networks and ecosystems.
We want women to leave Lusaka not only inspired but also with practical insight, meaningful networks and greater clarity about what they need to do next.” Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters, Executive Director, PAWEN The Summit: Learn, Lead and Network With 2,000+ Entrepreneurs and C-Suite Leaders From 35+ African Countries At the heart of the gathering is the PAWEN Summit, taking place at the New Government Complex and expected to bring together more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and business leaders from over 35 African countries.
Across two days, the programme will tackle the questions facing women building businesses and those building from within organisations: how to create