Member News | Women’s Leadership in Africa: Turning Ambition into Action
As South Africa marks Women’s Month, the conversation around women’s leadership continues to evolve. While progress has been made in increasing women’s representation across business and society, significant work remains to ensure that women have equal access to leadership, decision-making and opportunities for advancement.
Increasing representation is only part of the equation. Sustainable progress also requires creating environments in which women can develop their confidence, strengthen their leadership capabilities, build meaningful networks and bring their perspectives to the table.
From Representation to Leadership
Across Africa, organisations are increasingly recognising that gender equality is not only a matter of representation, but also a business and leadership imperative. Diverse leadership teams can bring different perspectives, experiences and approaches to decision-making, contributing to more inclusive and resilient organisations.
This has led to greater attention on leadership development initiatives that support women at different stages of their careers—from emerging talent to experienced executives—while also encouraging organisations and colleagues to share responsibility for creating more inclusive workplaces.
One initiative contributing to this conversation is the EVE Program, established by Danone in 2010, with the support of L’Oréal. Over the past 15 years, the programme has brought together women and men from across different sectors and regions around themes including personal development, leadership, self-confidence and networking.
The programme has now reached more than 7,900 participants worldwide, with an international edition and regional editions developed in Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America to reflect local and regional realities.
Building a Pan-African Leadership Community
The African edition, EVE Africa, has developed into a platform connecting leaders, managers and emerging talents from across the continent.
Following editions in Senegal, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, the seventh edition of EVE Africa will take place from 1–3 December 2026 in El Jadida, Morocco, bringing together more than 120 participants from across Africa.
The programme will explore themes including self-confidence, inclusive leadership, personal impact and storytelling, combining practical learning with opportunities for participants to exchange experiences and build connections across borders.
The wider EVE philosophy is captured in its motto: “Be yourself and unleash your potential.”
At its core is the idea that meaningful organisational change can begin with individual transformation — by encouraging people to recognise their strengths, challenge limiting beliefs and develop the confidence to contribute more fully.
Leadership and the Power of Authenticity
For South African participant Marlinie Kotiah, South Africa General Secretary Lead at Danone, the experience has had a lasting impact. Reflecting on her participation, she highlights the importance of authenticity, resilience and self-belief in developing one's leadership journey.
“EVE helped me realise that meaningful impact is within our reach more than we think. It challenged me to think bigger, bolder and believe that I can make a difference.”
Her experience reflects a broader shift in the leadership conversation: professional development is increasingly being considered alongside personal development, wellbeing and the ability to lead authentically.
Gender Equality as a Shared Responsibility
Another distinctive aspect of the EVE approach is its inclusion of men in the conversation. While women represent the majority of participants, approximately 20% are men, reflecting the principle that advancing gender equality cannot be the responsibility of women alone.
As Anne Thévenet-Abitbol, Founder of the EVE Program, explains:
“The EVE Program helps women dare to step forward and make their contributions visible, while helping men recognise that women may approach things differently.”
This perspective is particularly relevant as organisations consider how to move beyond commitments and create practical pathways for greater diversity in leadership.
Gender equality requires action at multiple levels — from individual confidence and career development to organisational culture, recruitment, succession planning and access to decision-making opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Women’s Month provides an opportunity not only to recognise the progress achieved, but also to consider what needs to happen next.
For businesses operating across Africa and between Africa and international markets, developing diverse leadership pipelines can contribute to stronger organisations and more inclusive economies.
Initiatives such as EVE Africa form part of a broader ecosystem of programmes, networks and conversations helping to equip current and future leaders with the confidence, skills and connections to contribute meaningfully to their organisations and communities.
Ultimately, advancing women's leadership is not simply about preparing women to take their place at the table. It is about creating organisations and economies where talent, perspective and potential can be recognised and developed regardless of gender.
As the continent continues to navigate economic transformation and new opportunities for growth, building more inclusive leadership structures will remain an important part of shaping Africa's future.
EVE Africa 2026 | 1–3 December | El Jadida, Morocco
Bilingual English-French programme with simultaneous interpretation.
Disclaimer:
This article is an external contribution and was not produced by the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI). The views, opinions, and statements expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of FSACCI.
