Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) 2018 | ICO CONFERENCES | 8 November 2018 | Cape Town International Convention Centre, Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

The annual Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum is Africa's #1 female entrepreneurship conference, exhibition and awards event. Awief is a comprehensive platform that seeks to enhance the profile of women-owned and women-led businesses for Africa’s inclusive economic growth.

In its 4th edition, the event will bring together major and minor players in the African and global entrepreneurship ecosystem to discuss and find solutions to entrepreneurship issues and challenges. It is an excellent opportunity to share ideas, connect and network.

Under the theme “Unleashing ideas: innovation, sustainability and enterprise growth”, Awief 2018 will feature keynotes, interactive panel sessions, exhibition, workshops, high-profile and quality networking, B2B matchmaking and pitch competitions.

2018 Speakers

H. E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-fakim
6th President, Republic of Mauritius

H. E. Madame Monica Geingos
First Lady of the Republic of Namibia

Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-chancellor, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Eleni Gabre-madhin
Former Ceo, Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (Ecx), Chief Happiness Officer, Bluemoon, Ethiopia

H. E. Cecilia Julin
Ambassador of Sweden to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, Embassy of Sweden, Pretoria

H. E. Helen Budliger Artieda
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Switzerland to South Africa, South Africa

H. E. Elback Zeinabou Tari Bako
Minister for Promotion of Women and Child Protection, Niger

Basetsana Kumalo
Executive Chairman & Ceo, Basetsana Woman Investment Holdings, South Africa

Hon. Elizabeth Thabethe
Deputy Minister, Department of Tourism, South Africa

Peter Ndoro
Sabc News Anchor, South Africa

Hrm Oba (King) Dokun Thompson
The Oloni of Eti-oni, Osun State, Nigeria

Barbara Makhubedu
Chief Financial Officer, Shell Downstream South Africa

Michael Hailu
Director, Technical Centre for Agricultural & Rural Cooperation (Cta), The Netherlands

Pat Thaker
Editorial & Regional Director, Mea, The Economist Intelligence Unit, Uk

Taki Netshitenzhe
Executive Director, Vodacom South Africa & Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs, Vodacom Group, South Africa

Liv Astri Hovem
Ceo Oil & Gas, Dnv Gl, Norway

Anne-marie Chidzero
Principal Partner, Alitheia Identity Managers, South Africa

Waheed Olagunju
Executive Director, Bank of Industry, Nigeria

Pauline Mujawamariya Koelbl
Managing Director, African Innovation Foundation, Switzerland

Saidah Nash Carter
Head of Innovation-africa, Thomson Reuters, South Africa

Sabdiyo Dido Bashuna
Senior Technical Advisor, Value Chains and Agribusiness, Technical Centre for Agriculture & Rural Cooperation (Cta), The Netherlands

Mandisa Tshikwatamba
Chief Executive Officer, Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), South Africa

Bisila Bokoko
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Bbes, Usa

Thakhani Makhuvha
Chief Executive Officer, Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa), South Africa

Awamary Lowe-khan
Founder and Ceo, Innovate Gambia, The Gambia

Marijn Wiersma
Senior Environmental, Social and Governance Specialist, Arise, South Africa

Aida Opoku-mensah
Special Advisor Sdgs & Agenda 2030, Un Economic Commission for Africa, Ethiopia

Yogavelli (Yogi) Nambiar
Chief Executive Officer, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, South Africa

Chude Jideonwo
Founder, Joy Inc., Nigeria

Anke Weisheit
Co Founder & Chair, Innovation & Business Management

Uduak Oduok
Lawyer, Journalist, Author: Ebitu Law Group, P.c., United States of America

Duncan Onyango
East Africa Director, Acumen, Kenya

Slauzy Zodwa Mogami
Chairperson, Agriculture Working Group of Brics Business Council South Africa

Charles Mgone
Vice Chancellor, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Tanzania

Godrey Ogbechie
Group Executive Director, Rainoil Limited, Nigeria

Lelemba Phiri
Principal, Africa Trust Group, South Africa

Gwendoline Abunaw
Managing Director, Ekobank, Cameroon

Carlman Moyo
Managing Director, Abraaj Group, South Africa

Nick Bradshaw
Director, Ai Media, South Africa

Jacques Ludik
Founder & Ceo, Cortex Logic, Founder & President, Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa (Miia)

Patricia Obozuwa
Director, Communications & Public Affairs, Africa, Ge Africa

Monica Maduekwe
Resource Mobilisation Specialist, Ecowas Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (Ecreee), Cape Verde

2018 Sponsors and Partners

PLATINUM:
• SHELL
• Nedbank
• CTA

SILVER:
• INVEST CAPE TOWN
• ARC LNR

BRONZE:
• Embassy of Sweden
• Tsogo Sun
• St Rita

HOST CITY:
• INVEST CAPE TOWN

STRATEGIC PARTNERS:
• Sefa
• Thomson Reuters
• Awan
• Seda
• HYBR

PLATINUM MEDIA PARTNER:
• BizCommunity

BROADCAST MEDIA PARTNERS:
• Channel Africa
• Cardova
• Expresso
• Afternoon Express

MEDIA PARTNERS:
• financial Nigeria
• africa.com
• SME South Africa
• VC4A
• memeburn
• Africanredhead
• ABC African Business Central
• connect NIGERIA.com
• Africa's Business Investment News
• VA
• DISRUPT Africa
• Ai INVESTMENT MATTERS
• M&B
• Hamaji
• South African Business Integrator
• African Redhead

LIFESTYLE PARTNERS:
• Jenna Clifford
• Skillstrain Distribution
• M.Micallef