🏆 The Africa CEO Forum Gender Leader Award is open for applications.

This award exists because representation at the top is not a side issue. It is a business imperative. The companies that have built genuine pipelines for women into executive roles, onto boards, and into senior management are not doing it for the optics. They are building more resilient, more competitive organisations.

🌍 Novartis took the award in 2024. Schneider Electric in 2025. Both recognised for strategies that go beyond targets: mentorship programmes, sponsorship tracks, measurable board-level progress across their African operations.

📋 Who can apply?

Any company operating primarily in Africa with a minimum revenue of €50 million and at least 300 employees.

✔️ Applications are open to African companies and international groups with African subsidiaries. Third-party nominations are also accepted.

🎓 Judges will assess women's representation on boards and executive committees, appointments made over the past year, and the depth of your leadership strategy, including what has been achieved and what remains to be done.

💡 If your company is doing the work, this is the moment to be seen for it. If you know an organisation that deserves recognition, nominate them.

🏆 Apply now: