Conferences & Events

Where leaders
gather to shape
the continent.

From Washington DC to London, Accra to Brampton — AWLO hosts the premier gatherings for African women in leadership. Two flagship annual summits, plus awards, youth programmes, and policy forums.

AWLO UK Launch 2026
2×
Annual Summits
16
Years Running
4
Continents
2026 Events — Active Season
UK · USA · Canada · Africa
Live
2009
First Conference
16
Years of Summits
23
Active Chapters
12+
Countries
4
Continents
AWLO UK Launch · London 2026 PAALA Awards · Washington DC 2026 Canada Diaspora Summit · Brampton 2026 African Heritage Awards · Accra 2026 HeforShe Summit · Pan-Africa AWLC Conference · Annual International Youth Summit AWLO UK Launch · London 2026 PAALA Awards · Washington DC 2026 Canada Diaspora Summit · Brampton 2026 African Heritage Awards · Accra 2026 HeforShe Summit · Pan-Africa AWLC Conference · Annual International Youth Summit
Featured — Most Recent Event

AWLO UK Inaugural Launch —
London, September 2026

A historic moment: AWLO officially launches its United Kingdom chapter with a Mayoral welcome at Islington Town Hall and a Leadership Lecture & Gala Dinner at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane.

AWLO UK Launch
Sep 2026
Flagship Event · United Kingdom

AWLO UK Chapter — Inaugural Launch & Gala

The landmark launch of AWLO’s UK chapter featured a Mayoral Welcome from the Mayor of Islington, followed by a Leadership Lecture addressing the impact of African women in British society, and a prestigious Gala Dinner at one of London’s finest hotels.

📍
Venue
InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane · Islington Town Hall · London, UK
📅
Date
September 2026
🌐
Continent
Europe — United Kingdom Chapter
2026 Event Season

Four landmark events.
One extraordinary year.

2026 has been AWLO’s most active year yet — four major events across four countries, celebrating leadership, honouring excellence, and growing the alliance.

PAALA 2026
Aug 2026
Awards Gala
PAALA 2026 & AWLO DMV Inauguration
Washington DC, USA · August 2026
The Pan-African Achievers and Leaders Awards honoured 25 global leaders at The Melrose Georgetown Hotel. “Leadership. Impact. Legacy.” The AWLO DMV chapter was simultaneously inaugurated.
View Gallery →
Canada 2026
Jul 2026
Diaspora Summit
AWLO Canada Diaspora Summit
Brampton, Ontario · July 2026
Uniting African, Caribbean and diaspora women leaders across Canada. The Legacy Honors Gala celebrated outstanding contributions to leadership, community, and cross-continental solidarity.
View Gallery →
Ghana 2026
Apr 2026
Heritage Awards
African Heritage Awards 2026
Accra, Ghana · April 2026
Dr. Elisha Attai was honoured at the African Heritage Awards hosted by H.E. President John Mahama in Accra — a convergence of African excellence, policy leadership, and cross-continental recognition.
View Gallery →
Kenya 2026
Mar 2026
Chapter Launch
AWLO Kenya — IWD Dialogue 2026
Nairobi, Kenya · March 2026
AWLO expanded into East Africa with the Kenya chapter launch, featuring the International Women’s Dialogue 2026 and a cross-sector policy forum on women’s leadership in East Africa.
Read More →
Port Harcourt 2026
Mar 2026
Chapter Convening
AWLO Nigeria — Port Harcourt
Rivers State, Nigeria · March 2026
The AWLO Nigeria Rivers State chapter convening brought together women leaders from across the Niger Delta region for strategic dialogue, mentorship exchange, and leadership capacity building.
Read More →
📅
Coming Soon
Next AWLO Summit — 2027
Join the AWLO membership to be the first notified about upcoming summits, conferences, and events.
Previous Events

Sixteen years of
landmark gatherings.

AWLO 2025
Nov 2025 · Africa
AWLO Women Conference 2025
Flagship annual convening for strategy, partnerships, and policy advocacy across 12+ countries.
View →
Youth Summit 2024
Jun 2024 · Africa
International Youth Summit 2024
A global platform for young leaders to shape policy and cross-border collaboration across Africa.
View →
PAALA 2024
Mar 2024 · USA
PAALA Leadership Awards 2024
Pan-African Achievers and Leaders Awards recognising excellence across sectors and borders.
View →
iLEAD 2023
Dec 2023 · Nigeria
iLEAD Club Capacity Training
Structured leadership training equipping women with practical real-world tools and skills.
View →
AWLC 2023
Jul 2023 · Africa
AWLC Annual Conference 2023
The flagship annual Women in Leadership Conference gathering delegates from across Africa and the diaspora.
View →
HeforShe
Annual · Pan-Africa
HeforShe Summit
Cross-gender coalition advancing shared advocacy for women’s leadership, equity, and governance.
Learn More →
Our Flagship Programmes

Six programmes.
One unstoppable mission.

Every AWLO programme is purpose-built to advance women into leadership — from finishing school to awards night.

AWLO Programmes
AWLO Programmes 2026
From boardrooms to gala nights — AWLO creates the platform.
🌐
AWLC Annual Conference
The flagship annual Women in Leadership Conference held across Africa and the USA — the cornerstone of AWLO’s programme calendar.
👑
PAALA Awards
Pan-African Achievers and Leaders Awards — honouring exceptional women across sectors globally. Nominations open annually.
🤝
HeforShe Summit
A cross-gender forum empowering men to champion gender equity and advocate for women’s leadership in governance.
🌿
AWLO Youth Council & iLEAD Club
A finishing school for the next generation. Structured leadership training and mentorship for young African women 18–35.
🏆
International Youth Summit
A global platform for young leaders to shape policy, build partnerships, and drive cross-border collaboration.
Conference History

From Accra 2009 to
London, DC & beyond.

Sixteen years of landmark gatherings that have moved women, moved policy, and moved nations.

09
2009
Accra, Ghana
First ever AWLC — the West African Women in Leadership Conference that started the movement.
10
2010
Abuja, Nigeria
Opened by First Lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan. Catalysed the 35% Affirmative Action push.
14
2014
USA — First Diaspora
AWLO’s first US conference — the organisation expands to the global diaspora.
26
2026
London · DC · Brampton
UK launch, PAALA DC, Canada Diaspora Summit — AWLO’s most global year yet across 4 continents.
Don’t miss AWLO 2027

Be in the room where
African leadership happens.

Join the AWLO membership to receive first access to 2027 conference registrations, delegate invitations, and early bird summit announcements across all 4 chapters.

Conference FAQ

Everything you need
before you register.

Common questions about attending, sponsoring, and participating in AWLO events.

01
Who can attend AWLO conferences?
AWLO conferences are open to all women leaders, executives, and professionals of African descent or those committed to advancing women’s leadership across the continent and diaspora. Guests and male allies may also attend select events.
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02
How many conferences does AWLO hold each year?
AWLO hosts two flagship annual summits — the AWLO Global Summit in the USA and the AWLO Africa Conference on the continent — plus regional chapter events, the PAALA Awards Gala, the HeforShe Summit, and the Diaspora Summit.
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03
What is the PAALA Awards?
The Pan-African Achievers and Leaders Awards (PAALA) recognise outstanding African leadership achievement across sectors and borders. The 2026 edition was held at the Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington DC, honouring 25 Lifetime Achievement Honorees.
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04
How can my organisation sponsor an AWLO event?
AWLO welcomes institutional sponsors, brand partners, and corporate advocates across all events. Sponsorship packages include brand visibility, speaking opportunities, and delegate access. Contact account@awlo.africa for our sponsorship prospectus.
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05
Where are the 2027 conferences being held?
2027 conference locations are currently being confirmed. AWLO holds its annual summits in the USA and Africa, with additional regional events across the UK, Canada, and other chapters. Follow AWLO on social media for updates.
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Ready to be in the room
where leaders are made?

Join AWLO and secure your place at the most important gatherings for African women in leadership.

Open to all African women leaders & diaspora worldwide.