Access Bank and ScaleUp Africa will on Wednesday, April 21, present the Pan-African Women’s Conference under the theme, 'Choose to Challenge'.

The virtual conference is part of a strategic partnership to boost the economic contribution and resources available to women in business and professional careers. 

The program will also mark six years of Access Bank’s 'W', the multiple award-winning initiatives for women that have seen many beneficiaries inspired and connected.

"We kick off our partnership with Access Bank with the Pan-African Women's Conference to celebrate women in business across Africa and to open up new products and services to a broader audience beyond Ghana.

"We are truly committed to further support Access Bank to drive its W Initiative, Gender, Innovation and Entrepreneurship strategy, bringing our core capabilities of digital engagement, holistic programme design and implementation," shares Amma Gyampo, CEO of ScaleUp Africa and a Strategic Advisor to corporations, foundations and governments. 

The Pan-African Women’s Conference will feature leaders in finance, business growth strategy and organisational development opportunities from across the continent.

They include Elsie Addo-Awadzie, second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG); Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Group Head, Retail Banking, Access Bank; Yofi Grant, CEO, GIPC and Franklin Owusu-Karikari, Director, Business Support & Policy, NEI. 

Other featured speakers include Irene Ochem (Nigeria) - Founder and chief executive officer of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum; Fatima Alimohamed (Ghana) - CEO of African Brand Warrior; Chilufya Mutale - (Zambia)- Founder and CEO of Premier Credit; Justina Mutale – (Zambia) - Founder & President of the Justina Mutale Foundation and its Scholarship and Thelma Ekiyor (Nigeria) - Managing Partner, SME.NG. 

Conference discussion topics will cover pushing the boundaries and thriving in the entrepreneurship journey, strengthening the capacity of women-owned businesses to boost growth, maximizing opportunities using the free trade agreement in Ghana and across the continent and business growth; surviving Covid-19 and beyond.

Amma Gymapo said, “Women play a critical role in the entrepreneurship world, providing essential human care and food-related services and as such we must be intentional about mainstreaming impact, gender equality, upskilling and decent work for women as we embark upon development in this post-Covid world. 

"The Pan African Women’s Conference is an ideal opportunity for women aspiring to get to the apex of their careers, grow their businesses and gain nuggets for personal development.”