By The New Africa Magazine
Casablanca – June 16, 2025: This June, Casablanca will once again take center stage as a gathering place for some of the most influential voices in women’s leadership across the African continent. The third edition of the Growth Women Summit (GWS25) will be held on June 18 and 19 at the Hyatt Regency, under the honorary presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, marking a renewed commitment to the role of women in Africa’s development journey.
Organized by the Moroccan NGO StartupGrow, through its flagship initiative Women Growth, the summit returns with a clear vision: to serve as a laboratory of ideas and a platform for inclusive solutions. Under the theme “A New World, New Challenges for Africa: Women as Drivers of Innovation, Equity, and Sustainability,” this edition positions itself not just as a conference, but as a cross-continental call to action.
As Africa contends with shifting global dynamics—climate transitions, digital transformation, healthcare disparities, and employment challenges—the role of women is increasingly recognized as central to sustainable progress. GWS25 seeks to spotlight this reality, bringing together leading female entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and innovators from across the continent and the African diaspora.
Over the course of two days, the summit will explore Africa’s evolving landscape through a diverse program of high-level discussions, hands-on workshops, strategic dialogues, and intergenerational engagement. Beyond the formal sessions, it also includes a youth hackathon designed to generate practical, technology-driven solutions to local challenges.
One of the defining features of this edition is the inclusion of a dedicated scientific committee, composed of thought leaders from sectors such as diplomacy, economics, sustainability, education, and technology. This multidisciplinary team will guide the summit’s intellectual direction, ensuring that debates are not only inspiring but also anchored in evidence and capable of influencing real-world outcomes.
A Constellation of Leaders
This year’s lineup includes influential figures across public service, diplomacy, business, and science. Among them is Synlesseh Stephanie Dahn-Koung, Second Lady of Liberia and President of the Foundation for Empowerment and Development, who brings a strong voice for grassroots leadership and social equity. From Guinea, Fatima Camara, Minister of Fisheries and the Maritime Economy – Republic of Guinea, is expected to highlight the intersection of innovation, natural resource management, and gender equity.
Morocco’s Nabila Rmili, Mayor of Casablanca, will speak to urban governance and the role of women in public service, while Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Commerce, represents the national government’s commitment to inclusive industrial development.
Also featured is Khadija Bendam, First Vice President of the International Nuclear Societies Council, who brings a rare perspective on women in science and global energy dialogue. Canada’s Melissa Allen, founder of Capital M and recipient of the King Charles III Medal, will share her journey as a tech investor working across continents to support underrepresented founders.
These leaders will be joined by professionals such as Sarah Lamrani (Director General, CDG Incept), Claudia Gaudiau-Francisco (Director General, TECTRA), and Fatou Drame Fabira (President, Baay Sa Waar platform – Senegal), among others — forming a multidisciplinary, multi-generational dialogue on Africa’s future.
Strategic Dialogue, Practical Outcomes: A Platform for Partnership
One of the most notable developments at GWS25 will be the signing of five strategic partnership agreements. These collaborations, anchored in long-term development goals, include: A cooperation with Amicale Hassania des Femmes Magistrates, promoting legal literacy and gender justice; a partnership with LafargeHolcim, focusing on corporate social responsibility and women in sustainability sectors; an agreement with the Embassy of Belgium, supporting the “Min Ajlik” program to enhance female employment and training; a human capital initiative with TECTRA, one of Morocco’s leading recruitment firms, promoting equitable access to the job market; a training alliance with Africa’s largest higher education institution in bakery and pastry, bridging vocational training and women’s entrepreneurship in food industries.
These partnerships underline the summit’s dual commitment to policy influence and grassroots implementation — aligning institutions across public, private, and civil society sectors.
Looking Beyond Casablanca
In addition to the summit’s central gathering in Casablanca, GWS25 is part of a broader initiative that has included regional hackathons in Fès-Meknès and the Oriental region—demonstrating a national commitment to grassroots engagement and decentralized innovation.
As the continent grapples with both opportunity and uncertainty, the Growth Women Summit aims to deliver more than inspiration. The outcomes of the event will include a forward-looking roadmap and a digital white paper, offering concrete recommendations and documenting best practices to guide future policymaking and partnerships.
A Vision Rooted in Action
For Hanan Aït Aïssa, President of Women Growth, this summit is a culmination of years of advocacy — but also a beginning. “This is not just a space for exchange,” she said ahead of the event, “It is a platform for building. We want the legacy of this summit to be measurable, scalable, and deeply rooted in the real ambitions of African women.”
Since 2016, StartupGrow has worked to promote entrepreneurship with a focus on women and youth. As a recognized partner of Morocco’s National Human Development Initiative (INDH), it continues to blend digital innovation with human-centered design to support inclusive growth across sectors.
With hundreds expected to attend from across the continent and the diaspora, GWS25 positions itself not simply as a landmark event — but as a strategy for the future.
