Casablanca Witnessed History as Africa's Boldest Women Were Crowned

The Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2026 – Africa culminated in a powerful and purpose-driven Awards Night at the prestigious Barceló Anfa Casablanca Hotel, celebrating Africa’s most influential women leaders in an evening defined by impact, excellence, and intent.

More than a ceremonial gathering, the awards formed part of a wider pan-African leadership initiative, created to recognise women who are driving transformation, championing inclusion, and reshaping leadership narratives across industries and borders.

An Evening with a Clear Vision

The Awards Night was envisioned as a moment of recognition with meaning, where women’s achievements are not merely applauded, but positioned as benchmarks for the future. The atmosphere reflected exactly that: confident, aspirational, and unapologetically powerful.

Set in the heart of Casablanca, the evening brought together senior leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers to honour women who are not waiting for opportunity—but creating it.

2026 Award Winners

• Best Gender Inclusive Company
  Canon Central & North Africa
  Winner: Sarah Hammouri, Senior Internal Communications Coordinator
  Recognised for advancing gender-inclusive policies, workplace equity, and leadership practices that set a regional standard for inclusion.
• Best Company Led by a Woman
  YNNA Holding
  Winner: Sarah Kerroumi, Secretary General
  Honoured for exemplary corporate leadership, governance excellence, and sustained growth under women-led stewardship.
• Women Icon of the Year
  Jelena Milovanovic, CEO & Founder, BioEridan
  Celebrated for visionary leadership, innovation, and her commitment to building impact-driven solutions with global relevance.

TOP 100 WOMEN LEADERS IN AFRICA

A defining highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Top 100 Women Leaders in Africa 2026, an elite list honouring trailblazers across business, governance, sustainability, technology, finance, and social impact.

This recognition reinforced the initiative’s core mission:
to spotlight excellence, amplify women’s voices, and inspire future generations of African women leaders.

More Than an Awards Night

The Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2026 – Africa Awards Night was not designed to be symbolic. It was strategic, built to elevate role models, document leadership excellence, and strengthen a growing continental network of women shaping Africa’s future.

As the evening concluded, one message resonated clearly:
Africa’s women are not emerging leaders, they are leading now.