For the fifth edition of the event, panellists and speakers will engage with the theme, 'The Ceiling Crashers 2.0: Power with Purpose'. The day's discussions will be followed by the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards gala dinner, which aims to celebrate the continent's most influential female 'ceiling crashers' across multiple categories.

"The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit has grown to become one of the biggest female-empowerment events, boasting a high calibre of attendees and unparalleled speaker line-up," says Renuka Methil, managing editor of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.

"This promises to be the biggest instalment yet, featuring female pioneers and path-breakers across the continent. Audiences will be exposed to discussions about the growing the number of women in leadership — something government and businesses really need to factor into their strategies. We will also get to grips with a new discourse that focuses on dismantling power structures and the need for truly inclusive cultures in business and society," adds Methil.

The event, which is hosted annually in honour of International Women's Day, is expected to draw an audience of around 1 000 leading women. Through talks, fireside chats and insightful panel sessions centred on 'ceiling crashers', attendees will be inspired to make changes within their own industries, secure in the knowledge that they have the support of these innovative allies.

This year's programme promises an influential mix of:
  • leaders in healthcare
  • business advocates of social and environmental activism
  • award-winning artists, and
  • internationally-renowned stateswomen.
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA has announced that, for the first time, it will be releasing its own list of 'Africa's Most Powerful Women', many of whom will be attending the summit.

The list will be published in the March issue of the magazine and will outline those who have been leading ideas and industries, while purposefully contributing to nation-building and positively impacting the lives around them.

According to the magazine, the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards gala dinner, which is hosted the evening of the summit, is an opportunity to recognise the trailblazers and role models who have created a new narrative within their industries. By challenging authority and 'old school' traditions, they are enabling future generations to live in a better and more equal world.

Beatrice Cornacchia, senior vice president of marketing and communications at Mastercard Middle East and Africa, says, "African women are a vital source of innovation, prosperity, and economic growth."

"Yet inequality and exclusion still hold women back in many aspects of their everyday lives — from growing their businesses, to having the financial tools to participate in the formal economy, to joining the C-Suite to following their passions. We are proud to partner with FORBES WOMAN AFRICA as we believe that it is only by bringing diverse perspectives to the table that we can unlock Africa's possibilities to women," adds Cornacchia.

Managing Director of the ABN Group Roberta Naicker says that the organisation was excited that the KwaZulu-Natal government would, once again, play host to this illustrious event. 

"A summit of this calibre showcases that KwaZulu-Natal is being positioned as a world-class events' destination. We are excited to have renowned speakers and attendees will get the opportunity to engage on hard-hitting issues during the summit, while also affording them the chance to enjoy the many recreational tourism sites and activities for which KwaZulu-Natal is renowned," concludes Naicker.

Tickets to the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit and gala dinner are available at R3 499 and are available through Webtickets. Tickets are limited and interested parties are urged to book early.

There are additionally select opportunities to get involved with the event sponsorship, exhibiting at the on-site marketplace or by sponsoring a mentee. Individuals are encouraged to visit the website for further details. The 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is presented by Mastercard and hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government.

For more information, visit www.cvent.com. You can also follow the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit on Facebook or on Twitter.