Former President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, has issued a powerful mandate to women across Africa. She urged them to seek real authority or risk being sidelined.
Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Zewde argued that transformative progress hinges on women moving beyond symbolic roles. Instead, they must occupy actual seats of legislative and executive power.
Zewde served as Ethiopia’s first female president from 2018 to 2024. She delivered the keynote address at the Inspiring Woman Africa Series 14. The event’s theme was “Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence.”
The Power to Legislate
Zewde was blunt about the mechanics of change. She cautioned the gathering of women leaders that representation without authority is insufficient.
“In order to bring substantive change, women have to be in power. That’s the thing,” Zewde declared.
She emphasized that without the power to legislate or execute, appointments remain mere “ticking boxes.”
Reflecting on her historic career, Zewde noted that women must author their own narratives. She previously served as the first African woman to lead a UN peacebuilding mission.
“For a woman, if a woman doesn’t talk about herself, doesn’t tell her story, nobody will,” she noted.
Solidarity and the Ballot Box
Zewde also challenged women to support one another, particularly in politics. She pointed out a statistical paradox. While women often make up the majority of voters, female candidates frequently fail to get elected.
“We have to support them,” she urged.
She also called for solidarity with women suffering in conflict zones like the DRC and Sudan. She stated that silence is not an option.
Zewde closed with a message of ambition. She reminded the audience that she was appointed ambassador at age 37. “Anything is possible, and the sky is the limit,” she said.
Federal Commitment to Gender Equity
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, spoke virtually. She affirmed the government’s resolve to support women nationwide.
“Women are not just participants in leadership. We are architects of new possibilities,” the Minister stated.
She highlighted two key initiatives:
- Social Impact Intervention Programme 774: Designed to reach every local government area with targeted support.
- The Ministry’s Digital Flagship Platform: A tool providing verified information, economic prospects, and legal guidance.
Leading with Empathy and Technology
The conference also featured insights from private sector leaders.
Mrs. Angela Emuwa, Chairman of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, advised women to be transformative forces. She highlighted two key traits:
- Perseverance: “Don’t give up. As women, we must be persuasive and determined.”
- Empathy: “True leadership requires understanding others’ perspectives while being firm and decisive.”
Chinwe Iloghalu, Acting Managing Director of Nova Bank, discussed the intersection of leadership and technology. She noted that leadership must be fluid in a growing organization.
She also highlighted how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping financial services. It now drives everything from credit scoring to predictive analytics for customer lifestyle offerings.
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