African Leadership Magazine (www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk) is pleased to announce the 100 most influential African American leaders for the year 2020; individuals that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, skill and commitment within their profession and to the African American community; as well as contributed to strengthening relations with both Africans in the diaspora and Africans on the continent.

Join us as we celebrate this very distinguished leaders via a special virtual presentation ceremony for the honorees, where award plaques and certificates shall be presented, and special honorees edition of the honorees unveiled – scheduled to hold on Friday 4th December 2020, as a highlight of the magazine’s annual International Forum on African Leadership.

Full list of Honorees & Press release can be found in the link below: https://www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk/breaking-african-leadership-magazine-announces-its-2020-top-100-most-influential-african-american-leaders-list/

THEME:Building Back Transformed Economies Post COVID-19: The need for Inclusive Leadership

The South America-Africa-Middle East-Asia Women Summit (SAMEAWS) is an unprecedented summit aimed at bringing together the most influential and prominent women as well as key stakeholders from these regions, under one roof, to discuss the need to recognize and harness the untapped and profitable opportunities that women economic and political engagements presents. The Summit has proven to be the premier gathering of women and key stakeholders from South America, Africa, Middle East & Asia, with a record attendance of delegates from 35 countries from the maiden 2013 edition to date. Leaders, from various economies such as Bahrain, India, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Qatar, all regions of Africa, the United States and the UAE, form part of the past participants of this summit. 

This year, due to the covid 19 pandemic, the summit is going to hold virtually for the first time.

The Covid-19 Storm Has Blown Us into Uncharted Territory.

Most office towers are emptied or scanty. Employees who usually work on-site are sequestered at home. Millions of service workers, and a growing number of corporate workers, have lost their jobs. Businesses are determining how to safely reopen their doors in a drastically different reality, essential workers are putting their lives at risk, uncertainty and fear are rampant, and social inequalities are magnified. 

Empathy and trust have become critical as physical distancing makes connecting across differences particularly challenging. Likewise, companies around the world have been forced into an unplanned experiment with remote and flexible working.  

According to Amar Bhattacharya and Nicholas Stern, ‘’The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the fragility and dangers of the old growth path’’.  Thus, the case for inclusive leadership post COVID-19 can be described as a global emergency.

 COVID-19 has brought to the forefront the urgency of inclusive growth and the impact of unequal growth.”–Shamina Singh, Founder & President of Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.

These profound truths by these eminent personalities point to one fact, the world has become increasingly unequal in countries, societies and businesses. The trend of inequality is likely to accelerate, partly also by the economic damage of the current COVID-19 crisis.

Nations and businesses have begun to look at ways of transforming their economies after all this chaos. Thus, it has been universally agreed that, leadership style will matter now more than ever.

Reports from several quarters have alluded to the fact that gender inclusive leadership will be an important part of the road map to economy recovery post COVID -19.

For instance, during the Africa Summit 2020, on Thursday 25 June 2020, organized by the African Leadership UK group, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia H.E Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor emphasized ‘the need to prioritize the empowerment of women and girls in Africa during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. She stressed that this was going to be a key response strategy for economic recovery post COVID-19.

Truly, the real heroines in the fight against COVID-19 are women’. Significant attention has been given to women political leaders in high-income settings, where it has been reported that women have led several countries’ effective national responses to COVID-19.

Thus, for there to be a transformed economy post COVID 19, there has to be a leadership that is inclusive of all genders. In spite of the numerous leadership constructs, a deficit continues to exist, calling for a redress to these societal inadequacies, with immense women leadership underrepresentation prevailing in most countries. The leadership potential in women is likely to be unleashed through an inclusive approach that cuts across the workplace spectrum.

Inclusive leadership have been simply explained as “leaders who are aware of their own biases and preferences, actively seek out and consider different views and perspectives to inform better decision-making.

The transition to a new way of working—in the context of a global pandemic with far-reaching societal and economic implications—presents both challenges and opportunities for promoting diversity and fostering inclusion. Before COVID-19, the social and business imperatives for diversity and inclusion (D&I) became increasingly clear, with commitment to and investment in D&I on the rise across corporate America and around the world. Now, in light of COVID-19, it is more important than ever for organizations and individuals to practice inclusive leadership.

In this period of heightened uncertainty, a perceived lack of control and the spread of misinformation increases risks of bias, xenophobia, and racism that impact people in the workplace and beyond. At work, ever-changing policies impact individuals in different ways—based on, for example, job classification, socioeconomic status, living situation, family structure, immigration status, or the ease of virtual alternatives to daily work—which can perpetuate inequities in the workplace. Therefore, organizations must take steps now to continue to strengthen diversity and build inclusive cultures in ways unlike ever before—through new communications strategies (internal and external), programs, data collection practices, and interventions that continue the momentum toward a more equitable and just world. A daily practice of inclusive leadership has become a necessity for all leaders as well.

It has therefore become pertinent for nations and organisations to practice inclusive leadership as a means of building back transformed economies, post COVID 19. 

Why is inclusive leadership important?

Inclusive leadership is essential for making sure diverse thinking is respected, managed, heard and applied. In addition, inclusive leaders who understand how different thinkers react to change are uniquely prepared to communicate and influence in a way that gets everyone on board with new ideas and new ways of doing things.

Another positive score for inclusive leadership is how essential it is for innovation, as companies focus more intently on innovation, whether it’s the big, transformational kind or smaller, incremental improvements. Innovation efforts don’t usually fail because no one could come up with a great, workable idea. It’s at the execution and implementation phases where things tend to fall apart. One reason? Innovation implies change, and our mindsets create resistance to change.

Although, there are several factors that make people feel included in organisations, including an organization’s mission, policies, and practices, as well as co-worker behaviours; it mostly comes down to leaders. What leaders say and do makes up to a 70% difference as to whether an individual reports feeling included. This really matters because the more people feel included, the more they speak up, go the extra mile, and collaborate — all of which ultimately lifts organizational performance.

Given this formula, inclusive leadership is emerging as a unique and critical capability helping government and organizations adapt to diverse changes caused by the pandemic.

In light of this business case for inclusive leadership as a way of building back transformed economies post covid-19, the Amazons Watch Magazine, in strategic partnership with the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD), presents the 8th edition of the South America-Africa-Middle East- Asia Women Summit (SAMEAWS), with the theme set as: Building Back Transformed Economies Post COVID 19: The need for Inclusive Leadership. 

SAMEAWS which has always held in the city of Dubai, will hold virtually this year as a result of the social distancing necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event shall electronically gather Female Heads of Government, Deputy Heads of Government, Senior Government Leaders and Stakeholders from across developing nations, under one roof, to realise the following objectives: 

1. Convene Think-Tanks, Experts, Academics, Researchers and Research scholars to explore unique approaches to economy recovery post COVID-19.
2. Get Global Female Business and Political Leaders to forge and create powerful networks that would help strengthen their influence and impact in their countries and their pledge for inclusive leadership in their countries, communities, businesses and work places.
3. Convene a High-Level Roundtable Sessions and Panel Discussions for stakeholders across developing nations to engage and exchange experiences, lessons-learned and best practices in developing diversity of skills and female leadership in the society.
4. Celebrate some of influential leaders and businesses across emerging economies, who have responded significantly to the global pandemic and pivoted the way they operate to be a force for good.
5. Celebrate female led businesses and organisations who have through their staying power, proven that women can achieve whatever they set out to.

SAMEAWS 2020 shall have the following key highlights:

1. Keynote Presentations and Conversations
2. Female led countries responses to the pandemic- lessons for inclusive leadership: a roundtable session of Female Heads of government, First Ladies and Wives of Governments from across developing nations
3. Empowering Women in Emerging Economies for Global Leadership Opportunities – a discussion with established Business/political Leaders from across developing nations.
4. Gender, Policy and Financial Inclusion – Leapfrogging Women’s Access to Capital: a panel discussion with financial Leaders from across developing countries.
5. We are Inclusive Leaders – A roundtable of organisations that are sterling examples of inclusive leadership. They will discuss their gains and how they do it.
6. CELD’s Blue Ribbon Awards 
7. The Annual Global Women Leaders Hall of Fame (GWLHOF) Induction Ceremony
8. Unveiling the Amazons Watch Magazine’s 2021 Game Changers -Top 200 Women to Watch from Emerging Nations

Some of the key expected Participants at SAMEAWS 2020:

1. Female Heads of Government
2. Female Deputy Heads of Government and Senior Female Government Leaders
3. First Ladies and Wives of Heads of Government
4. Major Industry Titans and Stakeholders
5. Female Heads and Members of Boards
6. Female Business Leaders and Leading CEOs
7. Academics, Researchers and Research scholars
8. Women Development Institutions and International Development Institutions

THEME:Rethinking Global Partnerships and Africa’s Economic Resurgence

The African Leadership Magazine is pleased to invite you to the International Forum on African Leadership (IFAL) 2020, a virtual meeting taking place this December to address the pathway to Africa’s economic resurgence .

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, African leaders have given voice to long-standing systemic imbalances between the region’s status in global affairs and the rest of the more developed world, in the areas of trade and investments, multilateral commitments towards addressing uneven impacts of climate change on the continent,  security and defense cooperation, and a myriad of other issues. Post – pandemic, with an impending continental recession, and international anti-racism protests, African governments are reassessing their roles in the international system. In the coming months, African leaders will almost certainly demand a bigger say on global issues in multilateral forums and more equitable ties with existing partners as well as step up as standard-bearers for multilateralism in an increasingly fragmented world. If their counterparts want to repair and revive its links to the region in this new reality, it will need to rethink its approach to developing and sustaining its partnerships.

The African Leadership magazine is therefore putting together, the International Forum on African Leadership (IFAL) 2020 with the theme: Rethinking Global Partnerships and Africa’s economic resurgence. The Forum will bring together the divergent views and thoughts of leading experts, academics, researchers, business and political Leaders and key stakeholders to address the pathway to Africa’s resurgence.

KEY EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS

• Heads of States and Governments
• Senior Government Officials and policy leaders
• Heads of African Missions and diplomats
• Major Industry Titans, Leaders, and Key Stakeholders
• Think-tanks, Industry Experts and International Development Institutions
• Academics, Researchers, and Research scholars

Key Highlights of the Forum:

• Keynotes and presentations
• Panel Discussions
• Networking Sessions
• African Leaders Innovation & Jobs Creation Roundtable
• Unveiling of the Special Edition of the African Leadership magazine
• International press Room & Global coverage

Top 100 Africa’s Most Resilient Brands 2020: Overview

The Top 100 Africa’s Most Resilient Brands 2020 is African Leadership magazine’s exclusive list of companies across industries and markets in Africa that have shown extraordinary competency in innovation, leadership, organization, risk management, adaptability, and high agility in the face of economic downturn, over the past year.  

Top 100 Africa Power Women 2020: Overview

The Top 100 Africa Power Women 2020 recognizes Female pioneers and path-breakers across the continent, who are rising to today’s unprecedented challenges, significantly creating a fairer world for everyone, and making outstanding contributions to Africa’s economic development and post COVID-19 response and recovery, within the context

THEME: US Africa Relations – A necessary Realignment

The African Leadership Magazine is pleased to invite you to the 5th US – Africa Investment Forum & Policy Dialogue 2020, a virtual meeting taking place this September.

Africa is no doubt still the last trade frontier in today’s world. 

Pre-COVID, the World Economic Forum identified that at least half of the world’s fastest-growing economies have been in Africa since 2000; and by 2030, Africa will be home to 1.7 billion people, whose combined consumer and business spending will total $6.7 trillion. Furthermore, it is expected that 43% of Africans will belong to the middle or upper classes, up from 39.6% in 2013, implying considerably higher demand for goods and services. By 2030, household consumption alone is expected to reach $2.5 trillion, up from $1.1 trillion in 2015, according to available statistics. 

In a post-COVID world, however, Africa is still expected to represent exciting opportunities for global businesses seeking markets for expansion in the race for recovery. And as some experts have predicted, global growth will be 4%, as pent-up demand and new vaccines power recovery from the 2020 global GDP slump. Global geopolitical arrangements also may have been considerably altered. Hence, a post-COVID world offers opportunities for nations to reset relations in a way that there are much more mutually beneficial outcomes and long-term impacts for parties.

A post-COVID Africa would need its partners more than ever before as it braces itself for what some expect to be arduous recovery from the battery of the coronavirus pandemic. Africa would deeply count on United States (US) Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo’s statement when he said that “no country will rival what the US is doing” in terms of supporting the fight against Covid-19 in Africa. But pundits have argued that the US hasn’t engaged adequately and correctly on the continent of Africa, creating room for other interests gaining a stronger foothold, despite the US have been a preferred traditional partner. Does the post-COVID world offer the opportunity for a necessary realignment in US Africa relations?

African Leadership Magazine is, therefore, putting together the 5TH US Africa Investment Forum & Policy Dialogue 2020 to bring together Policymakers, private sector leaders, Industry Titans, civil society leaders, and all stakeholders in US-Africa matters during this 2-day forum to contribute to shaping a new future for our common good.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FORUM

1. Keynotes, Plenary and Breakout session
2. Industry Roundtables and Thematic Paper Presentations
3. Policymakers Roundtable Session: a high-level platform designed to engage the US/African policymakers in discussions on Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Defence and security co-operations; AGOA and other Economic Development avenues; and deepening people-to-people relationships.
4. Race Relations Roundtable dialogue session
5. The 10th African Business Leadership Awards and presentations to ‘Top 25 US companies doing business in Africa’. In recognition of their contributions to communities’ development and COVID-19 response.
6. Unveiling of the Top 100 African American Leaders 2020 List.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

• Policymakers, Senior Government Officials and Diplomats
• Heads of Government, Agencies, and institutions
• Major Industry Titans and private sector leaders
• Think-tanks and International Development Institutions
• Academics, Civil society leaders and 
• All US-Africa relations stakeholders

PARTNERS

THEME:African Women in leadership and the glass ceiling: Breaking through and Staying relevant

The Amazons Watch Magazine and Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) are pleased to invite you to the virtual gathering of Africa Power Women leaders across the continent and globe.

The under representation of women in public and private sector leadership positions not just in Africa but globally continues to be a major concern in gender discussions. This phenomenon, often described as the glass ceiling effect, has impacted on women’s advancement from middle level to very senior or topmost leadership roles in diverse sectors and settings, keeping the proportion of females at the highest leadership positions continually low. Although women seemingly have opportunities in organizations to move up the ladder to become top leaders, somehow those opportunities are short lived and vanish at various points along the way. Oftentimes, the few women who have broken through to the highest echelons of leadership, especially in politics or the big corporate boards fail to reach their zenith, serve full terms or build a sustainable legacy, mostly having their tenures cut short or not able to renew their full allowable terms.

And more than anything else, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the disproportionate impact of governance and policies on women and children. The pandemic, which has evolved into an unprecedented crisis is heavily affecting the livelihoods, the socio-economic stability, leadership and the security of many families and communities in Africa.  The uncertainty, and preventive and containment measures against the pandemic have introduced profound disruptions that have had very adverse effects particularly to women on the continent, more than on their male counterparts. The pandemic is aggravating poverty, greater job losses, inequalities and gender-based violence (GBV), increasing the vulnerability of women in what was already a precarious situation.

Yet, it is acceptable wisdom that the world would fare better when gender equality is brought to bear in leadership opportunities for all. Her Excellency, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, former president of the Republic of Liberia highlighted that the inclusion of women in leadership positions have enabled the dismantling of the silo mentality that hinders sustainable development on the continent. She went further to say,  “the resilience of women will take us forward today and we want to see women leadership become a new normal, not exceptional; while Africa’s economic performance is improving, gender leadership gaps must close quickly in order to achieve the structural transformation of the continent’’.

While women around the world have made some progress in the fight for gender equality over the years, with 2019 seeing the highest percentage growth of the proportion of women in senior management roles, rising to 29%; COVID-19 seems to have wiped off the gains. Though Africa has achieved representation of women in top leadership roles above the world average, boasting of the highest share of female representation on company boards by 25 percent, with the global average at 17 percent, according to a Mckinsey report, the continent’s women have not had any sustained stretch in leadership positions or top corporate leadership.

Addressing gender inequalities for economic efficiency and closing gaps in economic opportunities is not only essential for women’s empowerment, but for African economies as a whole, particularly for GDP growth, poverty reduction, and the “inter-generational benefit” defined as the positive impact on following generations of gains generated from breaking women’s poverty cycle.

Needless to say, Africa still represents the frontier with exciting opportunities for businesses seeking markets for growth and expansion in recovering from the economic impact of the pandemic. However, the continent may not reach its full potentials if systemic and urgent action is not taken to increase the awareness of upcoming women leaders and women in leadership positions, of their rights and potential in leadership as well as build their capacity to be resilient and influential leaders.

The Africa Power Women Conference & Awards (APWC) 2020, an initiative of The Amazons Watch Magazine in partnership with Centre for Economic and Leadership Development   (CELD)  will convene Africa Power Women leaders across the continent and the globe. The aim of this foremost Africa Power women event is to address intricate topics on sustainable female leadership and to inspire the next generation of female leaders to break through the glass ceiling and maintain significance, thereby enabling a culture of resilience and sustained relevance for African women, as they aspire for the highest leadership positions on the continent and across the globe.

Some of the themes to be explored during this 2-day conference include:

1. Addressing Female Leadership stereotypes and gaps
2. Sustained female Leadership and Diversity in the Boardroom
3. The Gendered Impact of COVID-19
4. Advancing and sustaining top female leadership in Governance & Political Environments 
5. Critical leadership skills and capabilities for female leaders
6. The central role of female empowerment in development priorities – a shift towards a global consciousness recognizing the urgency of reducing gender inequality, both economically and politically.
7. The life-long journey of ‘Self-development’.
8. The dimensions of Self-concept: Self- Esteem, Self- Efficacy and Self-determination

The highlights of the conference include:

1. Keynotes, Plenary and panel sessions
2. Public Engagement session / Q&A from open participants
3. The African Inspirational Female Leadership Awards
4. Unveiling of Amazons Watch Magazine special edition listing of “Top 100 African Power Women 2020”: Recognizing influential and inspiring African women from all walks of life who are rising to today’s unprecedented challenges.

Target Audience:

• Female Policymakers, Senior Government Officials and Diplomats
• Female Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, small business owners 
• Think-tanks and International Development Institutions
• Academics, Civil society activists, and multilateral leaders
• All African women, stakeholders and HeforShe champions