{"id":11042,"date":"2025-12-17T07:25:30","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T07:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/?p=8546"},"modified":"2026-02-05T02:13:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T00:13:11","slug":"women-creating-wealth-2025-entrepreneurs-summit-a-grounded-and-soulful-pathway-to-collective-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/gmt\/featured\/women-creating-wealth-2025-entrepreneurs-summit-a-grounded-and-soulful-pathway-to-collective-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Women Creating Wealth 2025 Entrepreneurs Summit: A grounded and soulful pathway to collective action"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Africa stands at a moment of possibility, where women\u2019s economic participation is central to the continent\u2019s renewal. Under the theme \u201cBreaking Barriers, Building Wealth,\u201d the Women Creating Wealth (WCW) Summit – convened by the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust in primary partnership with the Mastercard Foundation – brought together 350 leaders from 17 countries.<\/p>\n

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GMT Interim CEO Theo Sowa opened with a call for focus and impact: every session had to answer \u201cSo what? Now what?\u201d<\/em> Representing the anchor partner, Marieme Esther Dassanou, Gender Director at the Mastercard Foundation, highlighted that closing gender gaps could add USD 230 billion to Africa\u2019s GDP by 2030 – a starting point rather than the ceiling.<\/p>\n

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Programme Director Shiphra Chisha reflected on WCW\u2019s expanding footprint and the barriers women continue to face. To date, WCW has supported 6,400 entrepreneurs, catalysed USD 14.5 million in financing, and created 38,300 jobs. She also reminded participants that 150 million African girls remain in child marriages and 180 million are still out of school. These realities, she noted, are why GMT\u2019s mission must continue to expand – including the goal to reach 30 million adolescent girls in 10 countries by 2035.<\/p>\n

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Shiphra Chisha, Programmes Director, Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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Leadership that grounds and guides<\/strong><\/h5>\n

In her Opening Declaration, HE Mrs Gra\u00e7a Machel emphasised purpose, accountability, and the discipline of measuring impact: \u201cTransformation is complex work; and complexity takes time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Delivering the Keynote Address, Former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka placed women at the heart of Africa\u2019s transformation. She urged participants to be fully present in economic decision-making and warned: \u201cAfrica is rich, yet its people are poor because of poor decisions.\u201d Reinforcing Ubuntu, she added: \u201cSupport the women who serve with you; that is how we grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A summit with soul<\/strong><\/h5>\n

We witnessed a refreshingly candid conversation between two remarkable leaders, Theo Sowa, CEO of the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust, and Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, as they explored what it takes to drive lasting impact across the continent. In the session \u201cValue-Based Leadership: A Refreshingly Candid Conversation Between Two Leaders\u201d, they reminded us that leadership is never a solo journey but one rooted in courage, humility and the people who challenge, support and inspire us. \u201cTrue leadership isn\u2019t about position or titles; it\u2019s about what you do, how you do it and the values you live by,\u201d Theo reflected. Reeta echoed this, noting that \u201cgrowth isn\u2019t a solo act; it\u2019s the work of many people, and part of the journey is bringing others with you,\u201d while also speaking to the courage it takes to learn from mistakes and start again.<\/p>\n

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Picture, from left to right: Theo Sowa; Reeta Roy; and Korkor Cudjoe, Senior Programme Manager, Women Creating Wealth.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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Alongside strategy, the Summit created grounding moments through poetry, music and art. Fadzai Nova called women to stand boldly in their power, while Noxolo Desire Mahlangu honoured their everyday strength – reminding participants that while today\u2019s impact may be modest, collective potential grows when leadership is rooted in humility and courage.<\/p>\n

Five pathways to action emerged: gender-lens investment; regional market access; AfCFTA-aligned reform; digital tools and the WCW Marketplace; and intergenerational leadership and wellbeing.<\/p>\n

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Mrs Gra\u00e7a Machel shares a joyful moment with members of the Pan-African Adolescent Girls\u2019 Movement at the Summit, capturing the intergenerational spirit of the Trust, women leaders standing side by side with the next generation of changemakers.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

A three-day gathering where women entrepreneurs mapped new paths to wealth, opportunity and shared prosperity, catch the summit highlights in our recap videos below.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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DAY 1 Highlights<\/h3>\n

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DAY 2 Highlights<\/h3>\n

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DAY 3 Highlights<\/h3>\n

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