Kenya Set to Welcome Historic Gathering of African Women in Leadership

Kenya Set to Welcome Historic Gathering of African Women in Leadership

Dr. Yetty Folami, convener, VOALS 

A new initiative aimed at amplifying the voices and leadership potential of African women is set to make its debut this year with the maiden edition of the Voice of Africa Leadership Summit (VOALS) this August in Nairobi, Kenya.

Inspired and convened by Dr. Yetty Folami, a US-based pharmacist, pastor, leadership coach, and healthcare executive, VOALS is described as a God-inspired project dedicated to fostering authentic influence, confidence, and transformative leadership among women across the African continent.

The week-long signature leadership experience for African women is scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 24 to 29, 2026. The centerpiece of the event, a full-day leadership conference, will be held on August 27 under the compelling theme "Leadership Renaissance".

Organisers say the summit is purposefully designed to deliver clarity, articulation, and activation for participants, helping them identify personal and professional needs while equipping them to overcome persistent barriers in leadership roles.

Key focus areas will include tackling gender bias, underrecognition despite proven competence, navigating workplace politics, and strategies for personal growth in business and professional spheres, among other areas. Attendees will benefit from keynote addresses, panel discussions, breakout group sessions, and ample networking opportunities.

The event targets 200 to 250 participants, primarily women in senior and mid-level leadership positions, entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals in sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, Tech, governance, NGOs, and faith-based organisations. It will feature notable speakers and leaders from Africa – particularly Kenya, and the United States.

Some of the speakers are Bola Matel-Okoh, an executive coach, founder of Women's Lifestyle Hub, Dr. Wale Akinyemi, organizational culture change and leadership consultant., and Lillian Ngala, leadership coach, founder of Lillian Ngala Network. Others are Titi Ikhile, Nellie Kinyanjui and Oladoyin Taiwo. The event will be anchored by Dr. Tiffany Oloke.

The summit’s programme spans several days with targeted activities:

- Tuesday, August 25: A specialised leadership training session at the University of Nairobi, themed "Leadership Beyond the Counter", aimed at pharmacy and medical students, complemented by a session on mental wellness.

- Wednesday, August 26: A welcome dinner and networking event in partnership with "The Women in Business" network in Kenya and other professional bodies, featuring discussions on emerging business opportunities.

-Thursday, August 27: The main summit day, running from morning to evening, with keynote speakers, panels, training sessions, breakout groups, and platforms for emerging leaders.

-Friday, August 28: A community outreach programme supporting underserved women who have experienced abuse and feel silenced.

-Saturday, August 29: A sightseeing tour of Nairobi’s key locations, allowing participants to experience Kenyan culture and hospitality.

Attendees may depart on Sunday, August 30.

To build momentum, a series of webinars began in March 2026 to introduce the summit and engage the community with another one coming up this May, till the main event in August.

VOALS positions itself as more than a one-time event. It is described as a broader movement to ensure African women's leadership is strengthened and their influence helps rewrite the continent's story.

Interested women leaders seeking to participate, in need of assistance with visas and travel arrangements, are encouraged to contact the organisers via info@voals.org 

For more details, visit the official VoALS website at https://voals.org/voals2026/

This landmark gathering in Nairobi is poised to become an annual highlight on Africa's leadership calendar, rotating across different regions in future years.