AWEC’s First In-Person General Assembly: A Sneak Peak at the Exciting Agenda
Certainly, after 3+ years of virtual meetings and remote work, reconnecting in person may seem daunting. However, as the world recovers from COVID-19, face-to-face interactions are invaluable.
The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative is excited to host its first in-person General Assembly in 3 years from April 12-14, 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. Bringing together more than 300+ African women business owners from over 30 countries across the continent, business leaders, experts and executives from both public and private sectors, this is an empowering and motivational event that celebrates the achievements and transformation of phenomenal women entrepreneurs.
The event taking place at the Mövenpick Hotel & Residences in Nairobi, Kenya, will strengthen relationships, enable collaboration, and spark innovation through in-person exchange - impossible virtually.
Attendees will participate in facilitated workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, and group activities that create a safe-space environment for out-of-the-box brainstorming and bold thinking, covering topics like; ‘Innovating Your Business Model to Domesticate Your Supply Chain’, ‘Designing Sustainability As a Core Business Deliverable (ESG)’, and ‘Understanding the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’.
Introducing our General Assembly Speakers
We are thrilled to welcome a diverse and talented roster of guest speakers and session leaders to this year's event. Their insights and experiences will provide attendees with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and grow their businesses.
AWEC’s Managing Director, Dawn Leaness and AWEC Board of Stewards Chair, Miranda Naiman will give the opening remarks and introductions. Miranda, ‘an unstoppable force for good’, is the Founding Partner of Empower - a disruptive consulting firm that passionately provides Talent, Advisory and Insight services to clients across the African continent.
Our Thursday opening remarks will be given by Hon. Harriette Igonanga Chiggai(CS) an accomplished advocate of the High court of Kenya. She is an iconic figure with a wide leadership and professional experience and has served in various institutions and Government Boards in Kenya and East. Passionate about leadership, youth empowerment, mentorship, women's development, and good governance. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Law Society of Kenya, Head of Legal Services at the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and Deputy Secretary-General of the East Africa Law Society.
AWEC Alumna Charlot Magayi will deliver the keynote speech at Cohort 5's graduation ceremony. As founder and CEO of Mukuru Clean Stoves, a social enterprise that repurposes waste metal for clean cookstoves for low-income households, Charlot is a renowned Kenyan stove designer and climate activist. December 2022, she was announced as one of the five winners of the Earthshot Prize in recognition of her innovative work expanding access to clean stoves in Mukuru.
Zindzi M. Letsididi, a business development consultant, investment specialist and Founder & Executive Director of TheNeoHub in Botswana, will deliver the closing keynote speech on Friday evening. With over 10 years of experience in business development, Zindzi has worked with numerous organizations throughout Botswana and South Africa. She is knowledgeable about innovative start-ups and offers vital insights into entrepreneurship.
Learning Lab Session Leaders
An AWEC Learning Lab is an immersive learning experience that allows participants to unpack and explore specific topics at a deeper level. The session is a mix of content delivery and interactive small group discussions, delivered by a business expert.
We are privileged to have AWEC alumna, and Founder & Managing Director of Afriqia HR Solutions, Maryam Darwich (MSc BA), joining us to facilitate a Learning Lab on Building a Team on a Lean Budget. Maryam has over 11 years of experience working in Sierra Leone managing and advising on projects with a focus on skills development, talent management and strategy development.
Jacinta Kiruthi serves as a Regional Integration (EAC, AfCFTA), Customs, Tax Advisor and subject matter expert at the Africa Business Council (AfBC) and East African Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Agriculture (EACCIA). One of her notable initiatives is her work with the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), through which she has pushed for women's access to markets through entrepreneurship, provided training on financial literacy skills, and sought to create a platform that bridges the gender gap by promoting women to leadership positions. Jacinta will lead a Learning Lab on Understanding the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Learning Lab on Transitioning to Selling Online will be led by Kolawole Osinowo, a distinguished leader in sales, marketing, and digital business innovation. As the current CEO of Baobab+ Nigeria, he has utilized his 16 years of expertise from Nokia, Microsoft, Jumia and HMD Global to provide valuable mentorship and support to women entrepreneurs through AWEC's Live Sessions.
Dr. Gordon Adomdza, a highly accomplished Associate Professor of Business Management at Ashesi University in Ghana and the Founder of Design Thinking Ghana Hub, will lead the Learning Lab on Innovating Your Business Model to Domesticate Your Supply Chain. His research focuses on the interface between social psychology and entrepreneurship, allowing him to explore innovative new venture ideas and create opportunities for entrepreneurs to realize their ambitions.
Doris Ahiati is the Co-Founder of Crescendo Consult Ltd, a financial advisory, executive coaching and consulting firm, and she will lead the Learning Lab on Pricing Your Products and Services. Doris is dedicated to empowering individuals, families, small businesses and corporate entities to experience financial and spiritual liberation in order to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.
The Learning Lab on Designing Sustainability as a Core Business Deliverable (ESG) will be facilitated by Elizabeth Wangeci Chege, the Co-Founder and CEO of WEB Limited, a sustainable development consultancy. Elizabeth was nominated and appointed in 2017 as the World Green Building Council Africa Regional Network Vice Chairperson, the first Kenyan and female to hold the continental position, and is now the Chairperson.
The Panel Speakers
The panel discussion will be a 90 minute session with structured conversations that will bring together multiple experts,stakeholders and global business leaders across the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. They will explore specific topics, share their perspectives, and engage in lively discourse with the audience.
Joycee Awosika, Founder/CEO at ORÍKÌ Group (Nigeria) and AWEC Cohort 5 Alumna, is an award-winning entrepreneur, energy economist and speaker. She has a history of running companies, mainly ORÍKÌ, the first and only all natural ‘farm to skin’ brand to operate a fast-growing premium product & wellness spa brand on the Continent of Africa.
Nancy Muhoya is a seasoned C-suite executive with close to 19 years of experience in providing extensive assurance expertise to clients in diverse sectors across Africa. She is currently the Regional Managing Partner of EY East Africa and the Country Managing Partner for EY Kenya.
Marianne Nyangi is the Founder and CEO, of Global Women Connections LLC and Institutional Banking Lead & Women Markets Champion at Victoria Commercial Bank (Kenya). She is a strategic, transformative leader with a background in banking as an executive business advisor.
Maryanne Ochola, Managing Director, Endeavor Kenya, is an impact driven professional passionate about entrepreneurship and its impact on job creation and long term economic growth. She's worked with entrepreneurs across twelve African markets as a commercial banker, impact investment professional and a network build.
The event will officially conclude with closing remarks delivered by AWEC Executive Sponsor, and President of The Center for Global Enterprise (CGE), Christopher G. Caine. As a leading authority on the contemporary corporate world in an era of global economic integration, he will offer valuable insights into engaging with the global economy in a meaningful way. With his deep knowledge and expertise on global trends, he offers invaluable guidance to organizations looking to make an impact.
We’re excited to share highlights of the event so keep an eye on our social media accounts (@WeAreAWEC on all main platforms) for more updates.
Fun Facts about Kenya!
In honor of our host country, here’s a bit of local trivia from our team members on the ground:
Did you know that tea has a special place in the hearts of Kenyans? Chai, a Swahili word for tea, is their 'love language', and tea time is an important part of daily life — a tradition that dates back to British colonial times.
Chai is much more than just a drink —it's a way of life. Even though coffee is one of the country's most valuable exports and brings in significant income, many Kenyans would rather sell their coffee than drink it themselves— a testament to their strong sense of community and desire to put the greater good before personal interests. Tea truly serves as a unifying force for people across all social classes and backgrounds, providing comfort, support and companionship.