Africa finance festival 2026
Africa's Top 50
Most Influential
Women in Finance
Recognising the Women Shaping Capital, Policy, and Financial Systems Across Africa.
Grand ballroom, Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lagos Nigeria. May 12–13, 2026
The recognition
Rigorous.
Prestigious.
Continental.
Africa’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Finance is one of the most rigorous and prestigious recognitions on the continent.
This honour celebrates exceptional women who are actively shaping financial systems, influencing capital allocation, strengthening governance frameworks, and driving transformative impact across Africa’s financial ecosystem.
Selection follows a structured process led by an independent research and advisory panel, drawing from industry nominations, peer validation, and performance-based evaluation.
How it works
The Selection
Process
01
Nomination
Industry nominations submitted by peers, institutions, and professional bodies across Africa.
02
Peer Validation
An independent advisory panel reviews nominations against sector performance benchmarks.
03
Performance Evaluation
Each nominee assessed on measurable impact, sector influence, and governance contribution.
04
Final Selection
Top 50 confirmed and formally notified ahead of the Africa Finance Festival.
“Power, Influence & Capital: How Women Are Reshaping Africa’s Financial Future”
Women in finance live - flagship session
A High-Stakes Conversation at AFF 2026
The Women in Finance Live panel is the centrepiece of AFF 2026’s gender leadership agenda a high-stakes conversation that moves beyond inspiration into the mechanics of real power. How are women accessing and directing capital at scale? What institutional changes are enabling more women to sit at decision-making tables? And what does the next generation of female finance leadership look like across Africa’s most dynamic markets?
Africa’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Finance awards will be presented immediately after the session honouring the very women whose stories, decisions, and leadership this conversation is built around.
OPEN FOR REGISTRATION
Are You One of
Africa's Top 50?
Submit your profile for consideration, or nominate an exceptional woman in finance you believe deserves this continental recognition.