Our Continuous Journey Through Events...

Change NOW 2024

• Mars 2024
• Paris - France

The event opened with remarks from Carole and Maryann, followed by a welcome from Garance Aulagne of ChangeNOW. Facilitated by Nadia Lalout-Landemaine (LEAN In), the program featured a keynote by Elisabeth Moreno, who spoke on the power of connection and leadership.

Two dynamic panels showcased African women’s impact : the first focused on networks and initiatives, with the founding speakers from organizations such as 100 Women @Davos, ShEquity, W4SECA and Women of the Chadian Diaspora. The second explored green entrepreneurship and social impact, highlighting founding speakers from ventures like E-Waka Mobility and PROWAH, Ring Africa Capital & Ubuntuness.

A special fireside chat with H.E. Samira Bawumia, Second Lady of Ghana, offered insights into policy and empowerment, moderated by Dr. Anino Emuwa. The evening concluded with closing remarks and a group photo celebrating the vibrant community of participants.

This event marked a powerful moment for AWPI, reinforcing its mission to elevate African women’s voices and foster global collaboration.

Change NOW 2025

• Avril 2025
• Paris - France

Under the theme “Uniting for Impact : Advancing the African Narrative Amid Planetary Challenges,” AWPI hosted three powerful sessions on the main stage :

African Youth Co-creating an Inclusive Future – A vibrant workshop led by young African changemakers including Samira Ben Ali and Héléna Soilihi, facilitated by Carole Tankeu.

Elevating African Women Voices in Climate Action – A compelling dialogue featuring leaders such as Merem Tahar, Pauline Koelbl, and Edidong Idang, with a fireside chat between Carole Tankeu and Maryann Kahindi-Picard, all facilitated by Maria Flouda.

Beyond the stage, AWPI also facilitated a B2B networking in collaboratin with Makutano network and led field visits to pioneering sustainability sites such as Lemontri in Paris.

B2B
Networking

• April 25,2025
• Paris - France

On April 25, 2025, the African Women Presence Initiative (AWPI) joined forces with the Makutano Business Network to co-host a vibrant B2B afterwork event at La Maison de ’Élysée in Paris, as part of Planet Week during ChangeNOW 2025. The evening brought together a rich mix of entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers from across Africa, the diaspora, Europe, and North America—including voices from Cameroon, Kenya, Cape Verde, the DRC, Egypt, Morocco, France, Austria, and the United States.

More than just a networking event, it was a space alive with purpose. Conversations flowed around sustainable development, inclusive business models, and the kind of partnerships that spark real change. Attendees shared ideas, explored new opportunities, and connected with leaders who are shaping the future of climate action, gender equity, and economic innovation.

AWPI’s role in co-organizing the event reflected its heartbeat: creating spaces where African women are not only present, but central to global conversations. By bridging cultures and sectors, AWPI continues to build a movement rooted in collaboration, relevance, and impact—where leadership is inclusive, and change is driven by connection.

AWPI Field Visits:
Exploring Circular Solutions and Eco-Innovation in Greater Paris

• 2025
• Paris - France

As part of Planet Week 2025, the African Women Presence Initiative (AWPI) took learning beyond the conference halls and into the heart of Greater Paris. Through a series of thoughtfully curated field visits, participants explored real-world examples of circular economy, ecological innovation, and community-led sustainability.

The journey began at Lemon Tri, a vibrant social enterprise that’s rethinking recycling in France. From smart sorting machines to inclusive employment programs, the visit sparked meaningful conversations about how technology and social impact can go hand in hand.

Next stop: La Compostière des Lilas, nestled in Parc Lucie Aubrac. Here, participants got a close-up look at community composting in action—transforming food waste into fertile soil, and public parks into living laboratories for urban regeneration.

The final visit took place at Prairie du Canal in Bobigny, where guests discovered the simplicity and brilliance of dry toilets. This low-tech, water-saving solution opened up discussions about sustainable sanitation, especially in contexts where infrastructure is limited or under pressure.

Each site offered not just inspiration, but practical insight. These visits reminded us that sustainability isn’t just a concept—it’s something you can touch, smell, and build with your community. AWPI continues to champion these kinds of immersive experiences, onnecting African and global changemakers with grassroots solutions hat are bold, local, and deeply human.

Africa Climate
Summit 2

• Sept. 2025
• Addis Abeba - Ethiopia

In partnership with AFRIWOCC and The Resilient40, this official summit event will showcase how young Africans are leading the charge in climate advocacy, green entrepreneurship, and community-based innovation. It responds directly to the African Youth Climate Declaration’s call for systemic youth inclusion in climate frameworks.

Confirmed partners include TIME 100 Business Leader Kidus Asfaw, Ethiopian Women in Energy (EWiEn), The Resilient40 network, and Women For Sustainable Energy and Climate Action (W4SECA).

This event is more than a discussion—it is platforms for action. By bridging generations and centering African-led solutions, AWPI is helping shape a resilient, inclusive, and self-determined climate future for the continent.

COP 30

• Nov. 2025
• Belém - Brésil

As a host country, Brazil is committed to strengthening multilateralism and fostering consensus on global targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to the warming of the planet.

Following the Congress, we believe it’s critical to host an event on the sidelines of COP30 to ensure coordination and alignment of African women voice. It’s important to continue to uplift climate justice and community-based solutions AWPI is co-organizing a side-event under the theme " Green Entrepreneurship and Indigenous People and Local Communities - Best practices in the Forest Basins or Global South". This event will bring together notable Indigenous people and local communities (IPLC) from the three (03) basins (Africa – Congo Basin, America -Amazonia Forest and Asia – Mekong Forest), green entrepreneurs, scientists and experts. The event will explore Green entrepreneurship (and Green Tech) opportunities among IPLC as emerging and vital area of sustainable business practices with traditional knowledge and community-based development. The conversation will focus on environmental responsibility with cultural heritage and economic empowerment (Use of Traditional Knowledge, Sustainable Resource Management, Eco-Tourism & Cultural Tourism, Crafts and Natural Products, Renewable Energy Initiatives).