Applications have opened for the Global African Women’s Sustainability Conference 2.0, a continent-wide initiative inviting women of African descent to take part in discussions and capacity building around sustainability, innovation, and women-led economic growth.
The conference, themed “Rethink, Re-invent, Re-generate: Women Entrepreneurs as Architects of Global Africa’s Sustainable Future”, positions women entrepreneurs as central players in Africa’s transition towards inclusive, environmentally responsible, and long-term economic development.
Organised in partnership with the African Union, the African Women Sustainability Conference will take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from April 29 to May 1, 2026. The event is designed as a learning and awareness platform for African female entrepreneurs who are interested in sustainability-focused business models, green innovation, and long-term impact.
According to the organisers, the conference will concentrate on strengthening women’s participation across several key areas. These include sustainable entrepreneurship and business innovation, the green economy and climate-smart enterprises, impact-driven growth models, and women-led approaches to Africa’s wider economic transformation.
Women selected to participate will gain access to a range of learning, networking, and funding opportunities. The programme includes engagement with investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, as well as participation in policy and market discussions linked to Africa’s sustainable development agenda.
A central feature of the conference is the opportunity to compete for sustainability grants of up to $5,000. These grants are intended to support women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses, strengthening green operating models, and expanding their role in Africa’s sustainable and circular economy.
Participants will also have access to advisory clinics, masterclasses, and export-readiness labs. Organisers say these sessions are aimed at supporting business growth, market expansion, and global competitiveness, while also enabling attendees to join a pan-African network of women leaders working in sustainability.
The event will bring together women entrepreneurs from across Africa and the diaspora, creating opportunities for regional and cross-border collaboration. Attendees are expected to benefit from knowledge exchange with global experts in sustainability and green finance, peer-to-peer learning, and exposure to international markets and partnerships.
International participants travelling from outside Nigeria will be eligible for a 12 percent discount on Ethiopian Airlines flights when using a designated promotional code. While attendance at the conference is free, registration is mandatory, and participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and related expenses.
The conference is open to female entrepreneurs operating within or outside Africa, women of African descent with active or emerging businesses, and applicants with a strong interest in sustainability and green innovation. No sector restrictions apply. Sessions will be conducted in English and French. The application deadline is March 30, 2026.
