At the WCW country forums, 700 participants were celebrated for their growth, resilience, and business transformation. The events also convened a diverse array of stakeholders–policymakers, private-sector partners, financiers, market enablers, coaches, mentors, and ecosystem builders–creating a vibrant platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic action.
Each forum was tailored to the local context while remaining aligned with the WCW programme’s broader mission: to build women’s agency, confidence, resilience, and entrepreneurial skills; improve access to markets and finance; and influence policies, practices, and attitudes to better support women entrepreneurs.
Discussions were informed by data-driven insights, real-world impact stories from entrepreneurs, and commitments from key stakeholders to support practical solutions for strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Speaking at the WCW Forum and Certification event in Tanzania, Bank of Tanzania Deputy Governor, Sauda Msemo, emphasised government’s dedication to ensuring inclusive leadership and economic participation at all levels. “We are committed to ensuring that every Tanzanian, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the nation’s economic growth,” said DG. Suada Msemo.
Youth innovation also featured prominently at the forums, with Youth Jump Starter Challenge finalists pitching their business ideas live to audiences in multiple countries. The Jump Starter Challenge is a fast-paced initiative designed to help young women move from idea to business within just one week. Participants are challenged to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), engage their target market, and demonstrate their ability to identify market needs, adapt their approach, and scale their ideas.
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Finalists are receiving tailored technical support to refine their products or services, improve market reach, grow their customer base, and prepare for future funding opportunities.
From Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg, Lilongwe to Lusaka, these events affirmed that African women are not just taking part in economic activity – they are leading it. Through reinvestment in their communities, job creation, and poverty reduction, they are helping to shape a more inclusive and prosperous future.
Snapshots of Impact: Visual Highlights from the WCW Country Forums
Celebrating resilience, growth and leadership
On 9 May, the Graça Machel Trust’s Women Creating Wealth Financial Services edition–partnering with Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) and New Faces New Voices–hosted the “Advancing Women’s Financial Inclusion and Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence” event. This occasion honoured the achievements of women entrepreneurs who completed the WCW Financial Services programme, celebrated their entrepreneurial journeys, and underscored their impact on South Africa’s financial sector. It was a powerful moment to highlight financial advancement t and to chart the next chapter for women building wealth, influencing policy, and transforming the economy.