Angaza Forum: Networking with sheer determination and commitment

Angaza Forum

Networking with sheer determination and commitment;

At the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, the Chief– Partnership & Resources Mobilization & Outreach for Gender, Women & Civil Society is Cynthia Kamikazi. She says that women work together in unity as opposed to a perception that they hate each other. She also says that women tend to pay high penalty for maternity in addition to prioritizing family as opposed to career and business. “Women tend to feel guilty for choosing to excel in career and business but this shouldn’t happen. The women must not give in to societal pressure and expectations,” Kamikazi says. These realities therefore adversely affect women economic security and hence the need for a more supportive financial services sector. Ultimately, women need the space and an enabling environment to succeed in career and entrepreneurship. Kamikazi spoke as a guest at the Angaza Women Forum 2024 at a Nairobi Hotel on 29^th, May this year.

Founded by Nuru Mugambi and its current chairperson, (a finance & communications expert with many years’ experience and exposure in the financial services sector including at the Kenya Bankers’ Association (KBA)) in 2020, the Forum aims at promoting inclusive and innovative women leadership in the financial services sector.  It also recognizes women excelling in the sector in addition to highlighting the burdens and gender inequity they face in the sector.                                                                                                                                                         

It is guided by the SDGs (sustainable development goals) especially SDG no 5. According to Mugambi, the Angaza Forum awarded its first cohort of excelling women in 2020; in August 2021, the Forum hosted a virtual gathering in gathering in Kigali, Rwanda and in 2022 its virtual meeting also went to Ghana. In 2023, it also hosted a physical forum in the same City.  The Forum calls out to women entrepreneurs to compete in an award program.

“We’re supported by partners and volunteers including H E Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first African female President who served as Liberia’s 24^th President from 2006 – 2018. In 2024, the Angaza Forum awards attracted 50 women entrepreneurs from 17 African countries in 7 subsectors with the women ages ranging from 29 to 59 years. Nevertheless, we don’t limit applicants due to age since we know that value can be created at any age,”Mugambi explained at the May event.                                                                                                                               Data derived from the forum indicate that 70 per cent of awardees get promoted or are given more responsibilities at their workplaces while 69 per cent have supported others to succeed and with 45 per cent initiating products and solutions targeting women. Additional Angaza data also showed that 87 per cent of the awardees now have mandates touching more than 3 countries in their organizations; 20 per cent of the awardees have been invited to several board meetings as speakers while 50 per cent have been approached for job openings by executive recruiters. {Ends}