September 3-4, 2026

September 3-4, 2026

Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali, Rwanda

ABOUT

ABOUT

A powerful space where African and diasporan women can share knowledge, collaborate, and expand access to capital.

What to expect

Two days designed to move from conversation to commitment.

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Brain Trusts

Harnessing the wisdom of a small group of leaders to share their experience addressing a specific challenge.

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Brain Trusts

Harnessing the wisdom of a small group of leaders to share their experience addressing a specific challenge.

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Deep Dive Discussions

Intentionally curated tables, anchored by leaders who guide participants from dialogue into alignment and action.

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Deep Dive Discussions

Intentionally curated tables, anchored by leaders who guide participants from dialogue into alignment and action.

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Community Network

A year-round network that extends far beyond the two-day experience.

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Community Network

A year-round network that extends far beyond the two-day experience.

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Multi-sectoral

Bringing governance, technology, education, healthcare, sports, the creative economy, and more to one table. At AWISS, decisions lead to action.

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Multi-sectoral

Bringing governance, technology, education, healthcare, sports, the creative economy, and more to one table. At AWISS, decisions lead to action.

SPEAKERS

Who Will Be in the Room?

The African Women in Strategy Summit is convening influential voices from Africa and the Diaspora. An extraordinary roster of business leaders, investors, policymakers, researchers, creatives, and activists will be revealed soon.

  • Business Leaders

  • Policymakers

  • Investors

    Investors

  • Policymakers

  • Researchers

  • Creatives

SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2026 · KIGALI

Event agenda

Event agenda

Opening

Day 01 : Connect & Convene

08:30 - 09:30 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Start the day with a shared meal and gentle movement. Settle in, meet your tablemates, and prepare to convene.

09:30 - 11:00 AM

Opening & Keynote

A formal welcome to AWISS followed by the opening keynote on African-led growth and the strategic decade ahead. Big-picture thinking to anchor the rest of the program.

13:00 - 14:30 PM

Brain Trusts around Kigali

Host-led small-group strategy sessions at venues across Kigali. Move the conversation out of the conference hall and into the city itself. Each brain trust is anchored by an experienced host.

16:00 - Evening

AWISS Community Network Launch & Cultural Experience

Skill-shares and paper presentations lead into the official launch of the AWISS Community Network. Evening continues with cultural experience and storytelling.

Action

Day 02 : Build & Commit

08:30 - 09:00 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Open the second day with breakfast and movement. Re-center, reconnect, and prepare to translate yesterday's conversations into commitments.

09:00 - 10:30 AM

Deep Dive Action-Oriented Discussions

Facilitated discussions designed to surface concrete next steps. Each table is anchored by a discussion leader who guides the group from talk to commitment.

10:45 - 14:30 PM

Peer Clinics, Walk & Talks, Design Sprints & Prototyping Labs

Peer-to-peer clinics give way to walking conversations, structured debates, and prototyping labs where participants turn ideas into deliverables.

16:00 - Evening

Closing Keynote, Mural & Celebration

A closing keynote on the path forward, followed by a collaborative mural marking commitments made during the summit. The evening closes with a celebration of community, partnerships, and the AWISS year ahead.

PRICING

Get tickets

Reserve your Early Bird ticket today.
Prices increase on June 15.
Only 200 seats are available for AWISS.

Student

RWF 50,000

Includes:

All summit sessions

Student roundtable

Certificate of attendance

Student ID required

Student

RWF 50,000

Includes:

All summit sessions

Student roundtable

Certificate of attendance

Student ID required

Student

RWF 50,000

Includes:

All summit sessions

Student roundtable

Certificate of attendance

Student ID required

Regular

RWF 100,000

Includes:

All summit sessions

Networking lounge access

Summit welcome kit

Limited seats

Regular

RWF 100,000

Includes:

All summit sessions

Networking lounge access

Summit welcome kit

Limited seats

Regular

RWF 100,000

Includes:

All summit sessions

Networking lounge access

Summit welcome kit

Limited seats

Premium

RWF 200,000

Includes:

All Regular benefits plus:

Reserved seating

Priority registration

Limited seats

Premium

RWF 200,000

Includes:

All Regular benefits plus:

Reserved seating

Priority registration

Limited seats

Premium

RWF 200,000

Includes:

All Regular benefits plus:

Reserved seating

Priority registration

Limited seats

VIP

RWF 400,000

Includes:

All Premium benefits plus:

VIP cocktail reception

Front-section seating

Limited seats

VIP

RWF 400,000

Includes:

All Premium benefits plus:

VIP cocktail reception

Front-section seating

Limited seats

VIP

RWF 400,000

Includes:

All Premium benefits plus:

VIP cocktail reception

Front-section seating

Limited seats

FAQ

FAQ

Still got questions? Feel free to reach out. We're happy to help.

Who is AWISS for?

AWISS is for African and diasporan women in strategic leadership who desire to create lasting impact across industries and academia. If you're ready to move beyond traditional convenings and engage in meaningful, hands-on collaboration, this Summit is for you. AWISS is not a typical conference. It's a living network where strategy is co-created, tested, and shared.

Where is the event taking place?

The event will be taking place at Movenpick Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. Kigali is one of Africa's most accessible cities, with strong air, road, and rail connections across the continent.

Is the summit in-person only?

For now, the Summit is a two day in person event. We are considering having a virtual component. More details to come.

Is AWISS suitable for early-career professionals?

Yes. AWISS welcomes early-career women, students, and emerging leaders. The Young Leaders in Strategy roundtable is built specifically for students, and discounted student tickets are available with verification.

How does AWISS approach inclusion?

AWISS is co-created and built to expand access. Sponsorship funds underwrite student scholarships and reduced-price tickets, and Donor Circles enable individual supporters to sponsor others to attend.

How can I make the most of networking?

AWISS runs a Partnership Match Program. During registration, you complete a short profile capturing your expertise and partnership interests. A matching tool then surfaces high-potential 1:1 and small-group meetings across the two days.

SEPTEMBER 2026 · KIGALI

Two days shaped for movement, partnership, and action.

AWISS

Opening

Day 01 : Connect & Convene

08:30 - 09:30 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Start the day with a shared meal and gentle movement. Settle in, meet your tablemates, and prepare to convene.

09:30 - 11:00 AM

Opening & Keynote

A formal welcome to AWISS followed by the opening keynote on African-led growth and the strategic decade ahead. Big-picture thinking to anchor the rest of the program.

Opening Keynote

Speaker To Be Announced

13:00 - 14:30 PM

Brain Trusts around Kigali

Host-led small-group strategy sessions at venues across Kigali. Move the conversation out of the conference hall and into the city itself. Each brain trust is anchored by an experienced host.

Brain Trust Host

Policy & Governance

Brain Trust Host

Capital & Finance

Brain Trust Host

Trade & Industry

Brain Trust Host

Innovation & Tech

16:00 - Evening

AWISS Community Network Launch & Cultural Experience

Skill-shares and paper presentations lead into the official launch of the AWISS Community Network. Evening continues with cultural experience and storytelling.

Action

Day 02 : Build & Commit

08:30 - 09:00 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Open the second day with breakfast and movement. Re-center, reconnect, and prepare to translate yesterday's conversations into commitments.

09:00 - 10:30 AM

Deep Dive Action-Oriented Discussions

Facilitated discussions designed to surface concrete next steps. Each table is anchored by a discussion leader who guides the group from talk to commitment.

Discussion Leader

Strategy & Leadership

Discussion Leader

Capital & Finance

Discussion Leader

Trade & Industry

Discussion Leader

Innovation & Tech

10:45 - 14:30 PM

Peer Clinics, Walk & Talks, Design Sprints & Prototyping Labs

Peer-to-peer clinics give way to walking conversations, structured debates, and prototyping labs where participants turn ideas into deliverables.

16:00 - Evening

Closing Keynote, Mural & Celebration

A closing keynote on the path forward, followed by a collaborative mural marking commitments made during the summit. The evening closes with a celebration of community, partnerships, and the AWISS year ahead.

Closing Keynote

Speaker To Be Announced

Event agenda

Two days shaped for movement, partnership, and action.

Opening

Day 01 : Connect & Convene

08:30 - 09:30 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Start the day with a shared meal and gentle movement. Settle in, meet your tablemates, and prepare to convene.

09:30 - 11:00 AM

Opening & Keynote

A formal welcome to AWISS followed by the opening keynote on African-led growth and the strategic decade ahead. Big-picture thinking to anchor the rest of the program.

Opening Keynote

Speaker To Be Announced

13:00 - 14:30 PM

Brain Trusts around Kigali

Host-led small-group strategy sessions at venues across Kigali. Move the conversation out of the conference hall and into the city itself. Each brain trust is anchored by an experienced host.

Brain Trust Host

Policy & Governance

Brain Trust Host

Capital & Finance

Brain Trust Host

Trade & Industry

Brain Trust Host

Innovation & Tech

16:00 - Evening

AWISS Community Network Launch & Cultural Experience

Skill-shares and paper presentations lead into the official launch of the AWISS Community Network. Evening continues with cultural experience and storytelling.

Action

Day 02 : Build & Commit

08:30 - 09:00 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Open the second day with breakfast and movement. Re-center, reconnect, and prepare to translate yesterday's conversations into commitments.

09:00 - 10:30 AM

Deep Dive Action-Oriented Discussions

Facilitated discussions designed to surface concrete next steps. Each table is anchored by a discussion leader who guides the group from talk to commitment.

Discussion Leader

Strategy & Leadership

Discussion Leader

Capital & Finance

Discussion Leader

Trade & Industry

Discussion Leader

Innovation & Tech

10:45 - 14:30 PM

Peer Clinics, Walk & Talks, Design Sprints & Prototyping Labs

Peer-to-peer clinics give way to walking conversations, structured debates, and prototyping labs where participants turn ideas into deliverables.

16:00 - Evening

Closing Keynote, Mural & Celebration

A closing keynote on the path forward, followed by a collaborative mural marking commitments made during the summit. The evening closes with a celebration of community, partnerships, and the AWISS year ahead.

Closing Keynote

Speaker To Be Announced

SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2026 · KIGALI

Event agenda

Opening

Day 01 : Connect & Convene

08:30 - 09:30 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Start the day with a shared meal and gentle movement. Settle in, meet your tablemates, and prepare to convene.

09:30 - 11:00 AM

Opening & Keynote

A formal welcome to AWISS followed by the opening keynote on African-led growth and the strategic decade ahead. Big-picture thinking to anchor the rest of the program.

13:00 - 14:30 PM

Brain Trusts around Kigali

Host-led small-group strategy sessions at venues across Kigali. Move the conversation out of the conference hall and into the city itself. Each brain trust is anchored by an experienced host.

16:00 - Evening

AWISS Community Network Launch & Cultural Experience

Skill-shares and paper presentations lead into the official launch of the AWISS Community Network. Evening continues with cultural experience and storytelling.

Action

Day 02 : Build & Commit

08:30 - 09:00 AM

Breakfast & Movement

Open the second day with breakfast and movement. Re-center, reconnect, and prepare to translate yesterday's conversations into commitments.

09:00 - 10:30 AM

Deep Dive Action-Oriented Discussions

Facilitated discussions designed to surface concrete next steps. Each table is anchored by a discussion leader who guides the group from talk to commitment.

10:45 - 14:30 PM

Peer Clinics, Walk & Talks, Design Sprints & Prototyping Labs

Peer-to-peer clinics give way to walking conversations, structured debates, and prototyping labs where participants turn ideas into deliverables.

16:00 - Evening

Closing Keynote, Mural & Celebration

A closing keynote on the path forward, followed by a collaborative mural marking commitments made during the summit. The evening closes with a celebration of community, partnerships, and the AWISS year ahead.