Conference

AWIEF

Africa women innovation
& Entrepreneurship Forum

2

0

2

3

9-10 NOVEMBER
Kigali, RWANDA

We are excited to officially announce Kigali, Rwanda, as the Host City for our 2023 conference and awards.

The #AWIEF2023 conference will take place on 9 & 10 November 2023 at the Kigali Convention Centre (KICC), a landmark on the capital city’s landscape.

The official announcement made in conjunction with the Rwanda Convention Bureau comes after a very special and colourful host city reveal by a Rwandan delegation during the #AWIEF2022 conference held in Cairo, Egypt in September.

The delegation included Rwanda’s Ambassador to Egypt, H. E. Alfred Gakuba Kalisa; Esther Kunda, Director General, Innovation and Emerging Technologies, Rwanda Ministry of ICT and Innovation; members of the Women’s Chapter of Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation and representatives of the Rwanda Convention Bureau.

Ambassador Kalisa told delegates in Cairo: “We are all here grateful and honoured by the decision of AWIEF to hold its annual meeting next year in Kigali. Under the leadership of His Excellency President Paul Kagame, Rwanda has placed gender equality as a key plan of our governance. However, women remain largely represented in the informal sector, in micro enterprises. Elevating this large segment of our productive population into the formal sector would require sustainable, technological and financial efforts by all stakeholders and the continued strong advocacy of AWIEF. Please rest assured that the Rwandan government through the Rwanda Convention Bureau will ensure that your stay in Kigali is enjoyable and productive.”

AWIEF Founder and CEO Irene Ochem says: “Kigali is one of the most exciting cities in Africa right now and is a significant hub for business, technology and innovation on the continent. Rwanda is also at the forefront of gender equality and inclusion in governance and business leadership. It is an ideal country to host the high-level and dynamic discussions about women economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, investing, technology, and innovation in Africa that are the hallmarks of an AWIEF conference.”

Going into its 9th year, the annual AWIEF conference brings together entrepreneurs, start-ups, thought leaders, policymakers, international development partners, investors, CSOs, academia, and media for dialogue and discussions on issues of women empowerment, entrepreneurship, investing, technology, and innovation in Africa.

AWIEF2023 is a platform where issues will be debated and new ideas explored. The event offers participants and stakeholders an opportunity to engage, connect and build new business relationships on the sidelines of thought-provoking conference sessions, while the AWIEF Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in African female entrepreneurship and innovation.