Sahle-Work Zewde Calls on African Women to Break Barriers at 14th Inspiring Women Africa Conference

Former President of Ethiopia, Madam Sahle-Work Zewde, has urged women across Africa to challenge the artificial limitations placed on them by owning their voices and boldly telling their stories.

She made this call while delivering the keynote address at the 14th Inspiring Women Africa (IWA) Conference, recently held in Lagos. The high-level gathering, convened by Kemi Ajumobi and themed “Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence,” brought together influential women leaders and industry shapers from across the continent.

Drawing from her decades-long career in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and national leadership, Madam Zewde reflected on her personal journey and lifelong commitment to advancing women’s rights. She noted that much of her work in recent years has focused on supporting women’s participation in peace and security efforts across Africa.

Having served 29 years as a diplomat before becoming Ethiopia’s first female president, Madam Zewde emphasised the power of self-representation and storytelling.

“If a woman doesn’t talk about herself, doesn’t tell her story, nobody will,” she said.
She encouraged women to speak confidently about their journeys, strengths, and contributions, stressing that many of the limits imposed on women are socially constructed and must be actively challenged.

Her message set a powerful tone for the conference, which centred on purposeful leadership, resilience, and reimagining women’s influence across sectors and societies.

The convener of the conference, Kemi Ajumobi, celebrated journalist and Founder/Group CEO of the IWA Group, was recognised for her role in building the Inspiring Women Africa platform over the past 14 years. Through radio, digital media, magazine publishing, documentaries, advocacy, and public speaking, she has consistently amplified women’s voices and created a trusted space for learning, connection, and impact.

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, also addressed participants, commending Nigerian women for their resilience, innovation, and leadership across diverse fields. She noted that the conference theme reflects the realities of a rapidly changing world and called on women to embrace leadership rooted in empathy, service, accountability, and measurable impact.

She highlighted the ministry’s ongoing work under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening systems, expanding opportunities, and advancing gender equity nationwide. The minister also encouraged women to engage with the ministry’s Happy Women’s App, which offers access to verified information, economic opportunities, mental wellbeing support, legal guidance, and ministry programmes.

“This digital innovation is more than an application; it is a gateway to dignity, safety, and support for every Nigerian woman,” she said.

To commemorate the conference’s 14th anniversary, the minister shared the “14 Ps of Excellence,” including purpose, prayers, positivity, passion, perseverance, persistence, planning, and punctuality, describing them as essential qualities for both personal development and national progress.

The conference featured three dynamic panel sessions with speakers from technology, law, energy, banking, entertainment, and public service. The first panel, “Excellence in Action: I Am Committed to Lead,” featured senior leaders including Nova Bank’s Acting MD/CEO, Chinwe Iloghalu, and was moderated by Ozim Ibeziako, Executive General Counsel for Africa at GE Vernova. The second panel, “Visionary Leadership in Transformative Times,” brought together experts from finance, power, and enterprise and was moderated by Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu, CEO of Nairametrics. The final panel, “Empowered for Excellence: I Am Driving Change,” spotlighted leaders from corporate, legal, energy, and entrepreneurial sectors.

The 14th IWA Conference reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for advancing women’s leadership, inspiring bold conversations, and shaping a future where African women lead without limits.