25 Awards
Recognising African women in entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and public service.
The 2026 PAWEN
Awards Gala
An evening of recognition, celebration, and connection.
Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026Location: InterContinental Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia
A Night to Remember
The PAWEN Awards Gala is the defining moment of the year for the Pan African Women Empowerment Network: a high-impact gathering of the women building companies, shaping institutions, and driving transformation across the continent. In one powerful evening, awards spotlight the founders building bold ventures, the leaders driving change within institutions, and the trailblazers opening new paths across the continent, alongside the partners, allies, and changemakers standing beside them.
What the Night Holds
View All Categories
An Exquisitely Curated Programme
Live performances, headline conversations, and the kind of moments that make a gala unforgettable.
An African Glam Dining Experience
A curated dinner celebrating the best of African cuisine, hospitality, and culture, presented by Zambia's finest.
PAWEN Awards Past Winners
Explore the women honoured across PAWEN Awards editions.
Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh
Technology Leader of the Year
Nike Akerele-De Souza
Platform Builder
Omoyemi Akerele
Cultural Enterprise
Jennifer Awirigwe
Financial Inclusion Leader
A celebration,
A statement,
An expression,
of who we are.
The dress code for the 2026 PAWEN Awards Gala is African Glam: a deliberate invitation to step onto the stage of the night dressed in the elegance, colour, and craftsmanship of the continent. Whether that is a tailored Aso Oke, a hand-beaded Maasai-inspired gown, an embroidered kaftan, a Zambian chitenge couture piece, or any reimagined statement of African heritage, this is your moment to wear what makes you feel powerful.
Tickets & Tables
Get discounted tickets.
Finalists and their nominators receive complimentary tickets to the Gala and discounted hotel room rate.
Individual Ticket
One seat at the 2026 Gala
- The full awards ceremony
- Dinner & drinks
- Access to the after-party
Table of Ten
Bring your team, network, or guests
- A full table for ten attendees
- Priority seating
- Recognition in the programme
- A bottle of champagne to celebrate
Sponsor Table
Align your brand with the night
- Branded table placement
- Prominent recognition in the programme
- On-stage recognition
- Brand alignment with the night
Extend Your Stay: Experience Zambia
Your PAWEN experience does not have to end when the Summit does.
In partnership with the Zambia Tourism Agency, a selection of post-Summit experiences is being curated for delegates who want to discover more of Zambia. Choose from a range of experiences designed through Zambia's tourism network, from unforgettable landscapes and wildlife to culture, adventure and some of the country's most iconic destinations.
Whether that means standing before the magnificent Victoria Falls, experiencing Zambia's natural beauty or simply spending more time exploring with women you have met at PAWEN, there will be options to suit different interests and schedules.
Come for PAWEN. Stay to experience Zambia.
Departing:
Sunday, 15 November 2026
Location:
Livingstone, Zambia
Add-on package:
Organized by our travel partner
Sponsor the Night Africa Celebrates Her Women
The PAWEN Awards Gala is one of the most strategically valuable nights on the African business calendar, bringing together founders, executives, investors, policymakers, and the cultural voices shaping the continent's narrative. Whether you are positioning your brand alongside African women leaders, championing a category that aligns with your mandate, or hosting clients in a room they will remember for years, the Gala is built for visionary partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dress code?
The dress code is African Glam: elegant, expressive, and rooted in African heritage.
Can anyone attend the Gala, or is it only for finalists?
The Gala is open to guests, partners, supporters, nominees, finalists, and members of the PAWEN community.
Who can be nominated?
African women whose work shows leadership, enterprise, impact, or public service can be nominated.
Is travel to Lusaka straightforward?
Yes. Guests can travel into Lusaka for the PAWEN Awards & Summit, with the event hosted at InterContinental Hotel, Lusaka.
Will the Gala be live-streamed?
Live-stream details will be shared closer to the event with registered guests and the wider PAWEN community.
What is the Victoria Falls Experience?
It is an optional curated group trip after the Gala, designed for PAWEN guests who want to extend their stay and experience Victoria Falls.
How does the judging process work?
Nominations are reviewed against the award criteria, with finalists and winners selected through PAWEN's judging process.
SEE YOU IN LUSAKA.
One night. One room. The women shaping Africa's next decade.
Be in the room.