The Pan African Women Economic Summit (PAWES) is a “Premier Strategic Platform” designed to connect, amplify, and align women leaders and organizations from across the continent. It plays a vital role in laying the foundation for that unified structure to emerge. The Summit is dedicated to uniting women leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across Africa and the diaspora.  It serves as a dynamic platform for networking, capacity building, and leveraging opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).  PAWES is more than just a summit; it’s a movement dedicated to empowering African women, fostering economic growth, and shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future for the continent. PAWES is not the body that will represent all women leaders; it is the catalyst for a unified network.

Following the success of the inaugural Summit in July 2022, which convened over 200 delegates across Africa & beyond, the 2026 Summit will be held from April 28 to 30, 2026, in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Each day will run as a full-day event, beginning with Masterclasses, followed by the Opening Ceremony and Breakout Sessions. The Summit will feature an exclusive session, “The Pan African Women Organization (PAWO) Forum” and “Youth Symposium.”  The Summit will conclude with a special “African Gala Dinner,” celebrating African women’s leadership, networking, and partnerships in style. 

The Summit host is Tanzania Women CEOs Roundtable (TWCR), a Non-Profit Organization (NGO), and a company Limited by Guarantee with registration number 15578890. TWCR is a women-led initiative founded by Tanzanian women business leaders to provide a platform for women executives to advocate for and promote service excellence by empowering members and non-members through robust leadership training programs, coaching, and mentorship. The host will collaborate and partner with other organizations for a more impactful outcome.