MEDays 2025
Panel : Women at the
Helm: Leadership, Resilience & Economic Influence
1. Opening Remarks of Lamia Bazir
Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
It is an honour to welcome you to this high-level conversation at MEDays
Across continents, women are redefining what power looks
like—quietly, boldly, and sustainably. Whether in public policy, technology,
finance, diplomacy, entrepreneurship, or social innovation, women leaders are
reshaping institutions, unlocking new economic pathways, and proving that
resilience is not merely the ability to endure but the capacity to reinvent.
Today’s theme goes beyond representation and symbolism—it speaks to the strategic value that women bring to institutions, economies, and societies.
Across the world, and especially across Africa, evidence is unequivocal:
when women participate fully, systems perform better. Companies become more
profitable, public policies become more inclusive, communities become more
resilient, and economies grow faster. Women bring a leadership style that is
collaborative, long-term, and anchored in social cohesion—qualities that are
indispensable in a century defined by complexity, uncertainty, and global
interdependence.
In Africa, a continent where 70% of the population is under 30, women already form
the backbone of social and economic activity—yet they continue to face barriers
that limit their potential to influence decision-making at scale. Unlocking
women’s leadership is not only a moral imperative; it is one of Africa’s
strongest competitive advantages for the decades ahead.
But transformation does not happen in isolation.
It requires a concerted effort from public institutions, the private sector, and
civil society.
Governments must create enabling environments—through education, legal protections, political participation frameworks, and access to finance. The private sector must invest in leadership pipelines, adjust recruitment models, eliminate biases, and support women-led enterprises. Civil society, meanwhile, plays a
critical role in shifting mindsets, amplifying voices, nurturing talent, and
holding systems accountable.
The future of women’s leadership in Africa is not a theoretical aspiration—it is a
shared responsibility and a shared opportunity. And today, we are fortunate to
hear from women who are not only shaping that future, but embodying it: women
who are redefining power, expanding influence, and proving that resilience is a
form of leadership—and that leadership is a catalyst for economic
transformation.
This conversation is not about celebrating individual success alone. It is about collective momentum—about the undeniable truth that women’s leadership is no longer a chapter in the story of progress: it is the engine
that drives it.
Today, we have the privilege of learning from exceptional women
whose journeys embody excellence, impact, and the courage to break boundaries.
Ladies, it is an honour to have you with us.
