Harare, Zimbabwe , The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) convened the Seventh Intergenerational Retreat (IGR 2025) in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the theme “Accelerating African Women’s Leadership in Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Continental Development.”This landmark event will bring together seasoned and emerging women leaders from across Africa and the diaspora to explore how women can lead Africa’s transformation in an era increasingly shaped by technological innovation — including Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, and digital governance.
A Platform for Generational Connection and Innovation
Launched in 2019, the IGR serves as a unique platform for intergenerational dialogue, knowledge sharing, and mentorship among African women leaders. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of the AWLN’s mission to strengthen women’s leadership across sectors and generations.
Building on six successful retreats, the 7th IGR will focus on how African women can leverage emerging technologies to drive inclusive development. Participants will explore opportunities in AI and digital innovation, which could unlock up to $100 billion in annual economic value for Africa, according to recent studies.
Objectives of the 7th IGR
The 2025 Retreat aimed to:
- Bridge generational gaps by fostering meaningful mentorship and collaboration between women leaders of all ages.
- Equip women leaders with digital leadership skills to thrive in Africa’s evolving tech landscape.
- Showcase innovative digital solutions by African women harnessing technology to create social impact.
- Promote inclusive legal frameworks, drawing from the AU and AWLN’s work on the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG).
- Explore ethical and inclusive AI applications that can advance women’s leadership.
- Launch the Women in Public Sector Collective/Council, a new platform designed to enhance women’s leadership and visibility in public service.
Organizers and Partners
Since its inception in 2017, the IGR has been co-organized by the AWLN Youth Caucus in partnership with the host country’s government and supported by the African Union (AU), including the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), the Office of the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, and UN agencies such as UN Womenand UNDP, with the continued backing of the Federal Republic of Germany.
About the African Women Leaders Network
Established in 2017, the AWLN is a pan-African movement of women leaders committed to advancing women’s empowerment and leadership in alignment with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With 39 national chapters across Africa, AWLN continues to champion transformative leadership for the continent’s sustainable development.
About Imara Leadership Initiative (ILI):
Imara Leadership Initiative is dedicated to building ethical, accountable, and transformative leaders in Tanzania and across Africa by focusing on youth empowerment, leadership training, and democratic engagement, ILI plays a vital role in shaping a new generation of leaders who are prepared to address the challenges of governance and development.
For partnerships and inquiries information please contact us via Ms. Sarah Masuma |Programmes Lead | E-mail info@imaraleadership.org
