Casablanca is set to host a major gathering dedicated to African women’s leadership on January 28 and 29, marking the first time the Africa Women Leaders Summit & Awards will take place on the continent. After previous editions in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and India, the summit’s arrival in Morocco signals a shift in focus—bringing the conversation home to the very leaders it aims to celebrate.
Organized by Verve Management, the event aims to bring together prominent African women shaping the continent’s political, economic, cultural, and social landscapes. The Barceló Anfa Hotel will be transformed into a dynamic space for dialogue, collaboration, and strategy-building focused on empowering women as key agents of transformation across Africa.
The speaker lineup includes several influential figures such as Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, and Hakima El Haite, honorary president of Liberal International. Rita Maria Zniber, CEO of Diana Holding, is also among the confirmed guests. Other participants include World Bank legal expert Leila Hanafi, Dahlia Khalifa from the International Finance Corporation, Aawatif Hayar, president of Casablanca’s Smart City initiative, as well as inspirational voices like singer Maria Nadim and Bouchra Baibanou—the first Moroccan and North African woman to climb Everest and complete the Seven Summits challenge.
A major highlight of the event will be the Africa Women Leaders Awards, which will recognize women who have left a mark in their fields through bold leadership, social impact, and innovation. These awards aim to spotlight trailblazers who are reshaping institutions and serving as role models for the next generation.
Choosing Morocco as the host country reflects a strong commitment to elevating African women leaders on the global stage while also strengthening South-South cooperation. For Sabah Parvez, Managing Director of Verve Management, bringing the summit to Africa for the first time is a powerful statement about the continent’s future—and the central role women play in shaping it.
Backed by both public and private sector partners, the summit positions itself as more than a symbolic event. The goal is to spark real momentum for change—fueling inclusive initiatives and turning dialogue into action.
Registrations are now open, and the summit is expected to be a landmark moment in the African leadership calendar.
