The African Women Leaders Network 7th Intergenerational Retreat (AWLN IGR 7) Elevates Women’s Leadership for Africa’s Digital Transformation
Harare, Zimbabwe - 7 September 2025 The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) held its 7th Intergenerational Retreat (IGR7) in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the theme “Accelerating African Women’s Leadership in Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Continental Development.” From 6-7 September 2025, the Retreat convened over 250 seasoned and emerging women leaders from across Africa and the diaspora alongside senior government officials, representatives of the African Union and the United Nations, development partners, the private sector, academia, and the diplomatic corps, to reinforce intergenerational solidarity and to shape concrete actions that place women’s leadership at the center of our development trajectory, peace and prosperity, including Africa’s digital transformation agenda.Â
The Intergenerational Retreat is a flagship initiative of the African Women Leaders Network hosted annually in an African country to strengthen women’s leadership and advance intergenerational solidarity on the continent. It is firmly aligned with the goals of the AU’sÂ
Agenda 2063 and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to drive gender equality as a cornerstone of inclusive growth and promote sustained peace.
The official high-level opening was hosted by H.E. Dr. Constantino G.D.N. Chiwenga, Acting President and Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on behalf of H.E. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, and took place under the patronage of H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron and former President of Liberia, alongside AWLN Co-Conveners H.E. Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and H.E. Mme Bineta Diop. Distinguished leaders participating included H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, former President of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, H.E. Amb. Liberata Rutageruka Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women and Peace and Security,, andCristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, among others.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Vice President Constantino G.D.N. Chiwenga underscored the spirit of the gathering, noting that “Intergenerational engagement does not simply pass the torch of leadership, it illuminates and fortifies it as it moves from one generation to the next.” Reflecting the movement’s DNA, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron and former President of Liberia, affirmed that “Since its beginning, the African Women Leaders Network has been about building generations between women leaders. I salute the young women leaders. To you the time has come, lead, claim it, take it, lead it.”Â
H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, Former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and AWLN Elder, echoed that collective ethos: “The regularity of our retreats is proof of our unwavering determination. The success of one of us strengthens us all. Let all AWLN members remain united, focused, and committed to collaboration and cooperation. In our movement, competition has no place. We must rise together, for only together will we achieve our vision.”
Adding the AU’s perspective, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, reaffirmed the continental commitment to women’s leadership in the digital era: “We will continue to support initiatives that prepare and empower African women leaders to thrive in the era of emerging technologies. Let us use this dialogue not only to exchange ideas, but to forge lasting partnerships and actionable commitments. Together we can shape a future where African women lead in innovation, in governance and in building the Africa We Want.”Â
In a video statement, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized the stakes of the moment: “Let us ensure that African women and girls are not left behind in the digital age. Let us build a continent where technology serves equality, because when every woman and girl can rise, societies will thrive. The United Nations stands firmly with you.”
Over two intensive days, participants worked across AWLN’s six pillars: peace and security; governance and political participation; financial inclusion and economic development; agriculture, land, and the blue economy; social mobilization; and youth and emerging leaders, focusing on inclusive innovation, equitable technology access, and ethical digital governance.Â
Participants addressed barriers to women’s political leadership, urged gender equality to be embedded in AI and ICT policy, and advanced practical steps to boost digital literacy, online safety, and women-led innovation. Deliberations underscored the returns of expanding access to credit, land, markets, and innovation hubs, and affir
Harare, Zimbabwe - 7 September 2025 The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) held its 7th Intergenerational Retreat (IGR7) in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the theme “Accelerating African Women’s Leadership in Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Continental Development.” From 6-7 September 2025, the Retreat convened over 250 seasoned and emerging women leaders from across Africa and the diaspora alongside senior government officials, representatives of the African Union and the United Nations, development partners, the private sector, academia, and the diplomatic corps, to reinforce intergenerational solidarity and to shape concrete actions that place women’s leadership at the center of our development trajectory, peace and prosperity, including Africa’s digital transformation agenda.Â
The Intergenerational Retreat is a flagship initiative of the African Women Leaders Network hosted annually in an African country to strengthen women’s leadership and advance intergenerational solidarity on the continent. It is firmly aligned with the goals of the AU’sÂ
Agenda 2063 and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to drive gender equality as a cornerstone of inclusive growth and promote sustained peace.
The official high-level opening was hosted by H.E. Dr. Constantino G.D.N. Chiwenga, Acting President and Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on behalf of H.E. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, and took place under the patronage of H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron and former President of Liberia, alongside AWLN Co-Conveners H.E. Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and H.E. Mme Bineta Diop. Distinguished leaders participating included H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, former President of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, H.E. Amb. Liberata Rutageruka Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women and Peace and Security,, andCristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, among others.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Vice President Constantino G.D.N. Chiwenga underscored the spirit of the gathering, noting that “Intergenerational engagement does not simply pass the torch of leadership, it illuminates and fortifies it as it moves from one generation to the next.” Reflecting the movement’s DNA, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron and former President of Liberia, affirmed that “Since its beginning, the African Women Leaders Network has been about building generations between women leaders. I salute the young women leaders. To you the time has come, lead, claim it, take it, lead it.”Â
H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, Former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and AWLN Elder, echoed that collective ethos: “The regularity of our retreats is proof of our unwavering determination. The success of one of us strengthens us all. Let all AWLN members remain united, focused, and committed to collaboration and cooperation. In our movement, competition has no place. We must rise together, for only together will we achieve our vision.”
Adding the AU’s perspective, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, reaffirmed the continental commitment to women’s leadership in the digital era: “We will continue to support initiatives that prepare and empower African women leaders to thrive in the era of emerging technologies. Let us use this dialogue not only to exchange ideas, but to forge lasting partnerships and actionable commitments. Together we can shape a future where African women lead in innovation, in governance and in building the Africa We Want.”Â
In a video statement, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized the stakes of the moment: “Let us ensure that African women and girls are not left behind in the digital age. Let us build a continent where technology serves equality, because when every woman and girl can rise, societies will thrive. The United Nations stands firmly with you.”
Over two intensive days, participants worked across AWLN’s six pillars: peace and security; governance and political participation; financial inclusion and economic development; agriculture, land, and the blue economy; social mobilization; and youth and emerging leaders, focusing on inclusive innovation, equitable technology access, and ethical digital governance.Â
Participants addressed barriers to women’s political leadership, urged gender equality to be embedded in AI and ICT policy, and advanced practical steps to boost digital literacy, online safety, and women-led innovation. Deliberations underscored the returns of expanding access to credit, land, markets, and innovation hubs, and affir