About AWLO — African Women in Leadership Organisation

Mission & Vision

What we stand for.
What we are building.

Two commitments that guide every summit, every chapter, and every woman AWLO touches.

🎯

Our Mission

To bring together female executives, entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders — to further enhance the leadership capacity of women, harness the synergies of alliance, and fulfil the objectives of the organisation.

AWLO exists to build networks, foster mentorship, and create a platform for dialogue with stakeholders to drive decision-making and action toward global development. We are a support system, a movement, and a bridge between where women are and where they belong. As Dr. Attai envisioned: a space where women are instrumental to each other's success.

🌎

Our Vision

A continent in which women take their rightful place as home and nation builders — with equal opportunity and equal access in every area of existence.

We envision African women in every boardroom, every legislature, every seat of influence — not as exceptions but as the standard. A world where success is not gatekept but multiplied, where women leaders extend the ladder down to pull others up, and where the future of African leadership is unambiguously, powerfully female. When women lead, the world wins.

The Founding Story

From a rare observation
to a continental movement.

“I spotted a rare need for women to be instrumental to each other’s success as a means to attain leadership. I looked around board meetings and only a handful of women were there. More glaring was that the women who made it through the door were only committed to keeping those behind the door there.”

Dr. Elisha Attai

Founder & International President, AWLO

The African Women in Leadership Organisation began not as an organisation — but as an observation. Dr. Elisha Attai, working as a media consultant and content producer for MNet, noticed a pattern playing out in boardrooms across Africa: women were present, but rarely in numbers, and rarely supporting one another’s rise.

What began as the West African Women in Leadership Conference (AWLC) in Accra, Ghana in 2009 quickly outgrew its original scope. The 2010 conference in Abuja, opened by First Lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, was a watershed moment — catalysing the Women for Change Initiative and the push for the 35% Affirmative Action policy for women in leadership.

Over the following years, conferences in Ghana, Gambia, and Nigeria built momentum and capacity. By 2014, AWLC had been embraced by the international diaspora — hosting its first conference in the USA — and completed its evolution from conference series into a full organisation: the African Women in Leadership Organisation.

“Many years down the line, AWLO is a support system, an experiential leadership development, and a movement to position women for global relevance. And recently, it is a bridge to sustainable leadership — bridging the gap to the next generation.” — Dr. Elisha Attai

2009

AWLC Founded in Accra, Ghana

The West African Women in Leadership Conference begins as a gathering of women hungry for connection, capacity, and a platform to lead.

2010

First African AWLC — Abuja, Nigeria

Opened by First Lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan. Catalysed the Women for Change Initiative and the 35% Affirmative Action push across Nigeria.

2011–2013

Expansion Across West Africa

Consecutive conferences in Ghana, Gambia, and Nigeria built leadership capacity and increasing stakeholder participation continent-wide.

2014

First Diaspora Conference — USA

AWLC embraced by the international community with the first US conference, marking AWLO’s evolution into a formal pan-African organisation.

2018

10th Anniversary Summit — Abuja

A decade of impact celebrated at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre with governors, First Ladies, and international delegates.

2026

UK Launch · PAALA DC · 23 Chapters

AWLO UK launched at the InterContinental London. PAALA 2026 honored 25 leaders in Washington DC. 23 active chapters across 4 continents.

The Founder

The man who built
a movement for women.

A media consultant who saw an injustice in every boardroom — and refused to look away.

Founder & International President

Dr. Elisha Attai

African Women in Leadership Organisation · Est. 2009

Dr. Elisha Attai

From media consultant
to champion of African women

Dr. Elisha Attai was working as a media consultant and content producer for MNet when he noticed something that would change the direction of his life: women had leadership qualities, but no platform, no network, and no system designed to help them own it.

“Men grab leadership by the horn. They spot opportunities, they are not seeking empowerment,” he observed. “How can women covet this? Despite that they have leadership qualities — how can they own it and build awareness of their leadership essence?”

The answer became AWLO — a support system, a movement, and a legacy. Today Dr. Attai has seen his vision grow far beyond what he imagined: women running chapters, committees, projects, and steering a continental alliance across four continents. “I am happy that I can spot women driving AWLO every day. The chapters, the committees, the projects — all perfectly womanned by women.”

16+

Years leading AWLO as Founder & President

2009

Year AWLO was founded in Accra, Ghana

23

Active chapters established globally

4

Continents reached by the AWLO movement

Photo Gallery

Sixteen years of
moments that matter.

History & Philosophies

Look how far
we have come.

The full story of how AWLO began — and the philosophy that has driven every chapter, every summit, and every woman we have touched since 2009.

The Full Story

From a conference in Accra
to a global alliance.

The African Women in Leadership Organisation started as the West African Women in Leadership Conference (AWLC) in Accra, Ghana in 2009. Due to the level of interest generated, Africa was included for the first African AWLC in 2010 at Abuja — which was opened by the First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan.

The women leaders at AWLC 2010 reached a resolution to send a strong delegation and advocacy group to the national offices of the political parties, and used the national women rally on 21–22 June 2010 to make a strong point for the enforcement of the 35% Affirmative Action for Women.

These results only pressed for more, and the Conference went on for the next three years consecutively in Ghana, Gambia, and Nigeria. AWLC aroused and built the capacity of women for leadership, and also saw the increasing participation of stakeholders at every level.

AWLO reached two milestones in 2014: AWLC was embraced by the international community and saw its first Diaspora Conference held in the USA — and the second milestone was a full evolution into a formal organisation: the African Women in Leadership Organisation.

Many years down the line, AWLO is a support system — women building networks. It is an experiential leadership development, embedded in capacity-building programmes. It is a movement to position women for global relevance, creating a platform for dialogue with stakeholders to foster decision-making and action toward global development. And more recently, it is a bridge to sustainable leadership: bridging the gap to the next generation, and providing leadership training for women to become dependable leaders.

Founder’s Philosophy

“I spotted a rare need for women to be instrumental to each other’s success, as a means to attain leadership. I said men grab leadership by the horn — they spot opportunities, they are not seeking empowerment. How can women covet this? Despite that they have leadership qualities — how can they own it and build awareness of their leadership essence?”

“Moving forward, I am committed to sustain a legacy. I am happy that I can spot women driving AWLO every day — the chapters, the committees, the projects, all perfectly womanned by women.”

Dr. Elisha Attai

Founder & International President, AWLO

🤝

Philosophy 01

A Support System

Women building networks and support systems — the foundational habit that AWLO instils in every member from day one.

🎓

Philosophy 02

Experiential Leadership

Leadership development embedded in capacity-building programmes and the daring act of taking the lead as a woman in a chapter.

🌐

Philosophy 03

Global Relevance

Creating a platform for dialogue with stakeholders to foster decision-making and actions toward global development and women’s advancement.

🌿

Philosophy 04

Sustainable Legacy

Bridging the gap to the next generation — leadership training for women to become dependable leaders who carry the mission forward.

Core Values

The principles that guide
everything we do.

Six values embedded in every chapter, every programme, and every woman AWLO touches.

🤝

01

Alliance & Sisterhood

We believe success multiplies when women are instrumental to each other’s rise. AWLO is built on the conviction that networks and support systems are the mechanism of leadership, not a luxury.

Community First

🌎

02

Pan-African Identity

From Lagos to London, Accra to Atlanta — AWLO honours the full breadth of the African diaspora. We celebrate shared heritage while building bridges across geography, culture, and generation.

Diaspora & Continent

📣

03

Advocacy & Policy

AWLO goes beyond networking. Our communiqués, think tanks, and stakeholder dialogues translate women’s leadership into policy change — influencing the decisions that shape the continent.

Action-Oriented

🌿

04

Generational Legacy

Through the AWLO Youth Council and iLEAD Club, we invest in the next generation — creating a continuum of leadership that ensures the work outlasts any individual and grows stronger with time.

Youth & Future

⚖️

05

Equity & Inclusion

Equal opportunity and equal access — not as aspirations, but as operating principles. AWLO’s HeforShe initiative extends our alliance to men who champion gender equity as partners, not bystanders.

Gender Equity

💎

06

Excellence & Dignity

African women leaders walk with grace, dignity, and unwavering belief in their worth. AWLO ensures that dignity has a platform — through PAALA Awards, our conferences, and every recognition we bestow.

Recognition & Worth

Key Milestones

Sixteen years of
measurable impact.

From a conference room in Accra to a 23-chapter global alliance — here is what we have built together.

09

2009

First Conference

AWLC launched in Accra, Ghana — beginning a movement that would span continents and touch thousands of women.

14

2014

Diaspora & Organisation

First diaspora conference in the USA and full evolution into the African Women in Leadership Organisation.

18

2018

10th Anniversary

A decade of impact celebrated in Abuja with governors, international delegates, and women leaders from across the continent.

26

23

Global Chapters

23 active chapters across USA, Africa, UK and Canada — 12+ countries, 4 continents, one unstoppable mission.

Recent Events

Where AWLO
showed up in 2026.

Sep 2026 · London, UK

AWLO UK Inaugural Launch & Gala

Mayoral welcome at Islington Town Hall followed by Leadership Lecture & Gala at the InterContinental Hotel.

Aug 2026 · Washington DC, USA

PAALA 2026 Awards & Gala

25 global leaders honored at The Melrose Georgetown Hotel. “Leadership. Impact. Legacy.”

Jul 2026 · Brampton, Canada

AWLO Canada Diaspora Summit

Uniting African, Caribbean, and diaspora women leaders across Canada with policy dialogue and the Legacy Honors Gala.

Apr 2026 · Accra, Ghana

African Heritage Awards 2026

Dr. Elisha Attai honored at the African Heritage Awards, hosted by H.E. John Mahama — a convergence of African excellence.

Mar 2026 · Nairobi, Kenya

AWLO Kenya — IWD Dialogue 2026

AWLO expands into East Africa with the Kenya chapter launch and International Women’s Dialogue.

Nov 2025 · Africa

AWLO Women Conference 2025

Flagship annual convening for strategy, partnerships, and policy advocacy across 12+ countries.

A movement built
for women who lead.

What we stand for.
What we are building.

To bring together female executives, entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders — to further enhance the leadership capacity of women, harness the synergies of alliance, and fulfil the objectives of the organisation.

A continent in which women take their rightful place as home and nation builders — with equal opportunity and equal access in every area of existence.

From a rare observation
to a continental movement.

The man who built
a movement for women.

From media consultant
to champion of African women

Sixteen years of
moments that matter.

Look how far
we have come.

From a conference in Accra
to a global alliance.

The principles that guide
everything we do.

Sixteen years of
measurable impact.

Where AWLO
showed up in 2026.

Be part of a legacy
that transforms Africa.

Moments From Our Gatherings

A movement builtfor women who lead.

What we stand for.What we are building.

To bring together female executives, entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders — to further enhance the leadership capacity of women, harness the synergies of alliance, and fulfil the objectives of the organisation.

A continent in which women take their rightful place as home and nation builders — with equal opportunity and equal access in every area of existence.

From a rare observationto a continental movement.

The man who builta movement for women.

From media consultantto champion of African women

Sixteen years ofmoments that matter.

Look how farwe have come.

From a conference in Accrato a global alliance.

The principles that guideeverything we do.

Sixteen years ofmeasurable impact.

Where AWLOshowed up in 2026.

Be part of a legacythat transforms Africa.

Moments From Our Gatherings

A movement built
for women who lead.

What we stand for.
What we are building.

From a rare observation
to a continental movement.

The man who built
a movement for women.

From media consultant
to champion of African women

Sixteen years of
moments that matter.

Look how far
we have come.

From a conference in Accra
to a global alliance.

The principles that guide
everything we do.

Sixteen years of
measurable impact.

Where AWLO
showed up in 2026.

Be part of a legacy
that transforms Africa.