Moroccan Delegation Champions Women’s Empowerment at Major Pan-African Conference in Nairobi
A Moroccan delegation of business and professional women traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, from June 21 to 23, 2025, to participate in a major continental gathering focused on advancing the role of African women. The delegation was led by Fatiha Otmane, President of the Federation of Business and Professional Women of Morocco (BPW Morocco), and took part in both the General Assembly of African Businesswomen and the Programming Conference of the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET).
FEMNET, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Nairobi, is a key pan-African feminist platform that brings together over 800 individual and institutional members from 50 African countries and the African diaspora. The organization aims to build an Africa where women and girls can flourish in dignity, free from violence and oppression.
Throughout the sessions, Fatiha Otmane showcased Morocco’s progress in promoting gender equality, placing a spotlight on initiatives such as increasing girls’ access to education, empowering women economically, and fighting gender-based violence. She also pointed to the strategic partnership between Morocco and Kenya, especially in areas of education, leadership development, and socio-economic inclusion.
“African women must be at the heart of the continent’s development agenda. Strengthening female leadership and ensuring equitable access to opportunities are not only rights but necessities for Africa’s progress,” said Fatiha Otmane during her address.
Otmane also emphasized the importance of concrete, human-centered initiatives that enhance social and economic integration for women across the continent. She highlighted the growing role of civil society and women’s networks in promoting values of equality, solidarity, and civic participation, calling for a shared commitment to tackling Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Moreover, she expressed the willingness of Moroccan women to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development efforts, through the exchange of expertise, cross-border networking, and the sharing of best practices, while respecting local contexts and regional priorities.
The Moroccan delegation regarded its participation as part of a broader effort in parallel diplomacy, aimed at strengthening African women’s solidarity as a driving force for economic and political transformation. In this context, Otmane pointed to the value of building partnerships among women’s organizations across the continent to launch joint projects in capacity building, women’s entrepreneurship, and rights advocacy. According to her, such synergies help pool resources, extend the reach of impact, and consolidate the role of civil society at the continental level.
