Ex-Ethiopian President And Nigerian Minister Urge African Women To Lead For Sustainable Development

Former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, have urged for increased participation of women in positions of real authority across Africa, emphasizing that sustainable development on the continent is closely tied to women’s leadership.

The call was made at the 14th edition of the Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) Series, themed “Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence.”

Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to reinforcing systems that support women and girls nationwide. She described women not only as contributors to nation-building but as “architects of new possibilities,” noting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and turning gender equality and equity into tangible realities across all sectors, particularly in economic spaces.

The minister also outlined the Social Impact Intervention Programme 774, designed to reach all 774 local government areas with empowerment initiatives, capacity-building, and system-strengthening support. She encouraged women to engage with the ministry’s digital platform, calling it a gateway to verified information, economic opportunities, mental health resources, legal support, safety tools, community networks, and direct access to ministry programs. Sulaiman-Ibrahim further stressed the importance of building strong networks and supporting one another, emphasizing that leadership is about transformation, impact, and leaving every space better than it was found.

In her keynote address, Zewde argued that genuine progress for women requires holding legislative and executive powers, warning that without authority to enact policies, women’s inclusion risks being superficial. She urged women to control their own narratives, saying, “If a woman doesn’t talk about herself or tell her story, nobody will.” She called for solidarity among women to address conflicts and humanitarian crises affecting women across Africa, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, and questioned why female candidates often struggle at the polls despite women forming the majority of voters. Sharing her own journey, Zewde recalled being appointed ambassador at 37, marking the start of her leadership path.

The IWA Series, founded by Kemi Ajumobi, is a pan-African initiative dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, sharing their stories, and supporting their professional, personal, and leadership growth. The event also featured speakers including Chinwe Iloghalu, Dr. Busola Tejumola, Dr. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Ozim Ibeziako, Obafemi Banigbe, Aisha Ndanusa Ahmad, Tonye Cole, Franca Clambella, Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu, Patricia Obozuwa, Chinyere Okorocha, Folake Soetan, Abe Jawando, and Abiola Adediran.