The 2026 PAWEN Awards Gala
An evening of recognition, celebration, and connection.
Saturday, 14 November 2026
Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia
PAWEN Awards past winners
A night to remember.
The PAWEN Awards are the defining moment of the year for the Pan African Women Empowerment Network. A high-impact convening that brings together the women building companies, shaping institutions, and driving transformation across the continent.
In one powerful evening, 22 awards spotlight the founders building bold ventures, the leaders driving change within institutions, and the trailblazers opening new paths across the continent. These are women who will define Africa’s next decade, along with the partners, allies, and changemakers standing alongside them.
What the Night Holds
Including the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Trailblazer Award, the PAWEN Woman of the Year, and the PAWEN Faculty and Alumnae of the Year. Bestowed by our distinguished judging panel.
Live performances, headline conversations, and the kind of moments that make a gala unforgettable.
A curated dinner celebrating the best of African cuisine, hospitality, and culture, presented by Zambia’s finest.
African Glam, Defined
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.
PAWEN Awards past winners
Fireside
Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh
Ghana - Technology Leader of the Year, 2025 🇬🇭
Fireside
Jean Mutabazi
Kenya - HR Leader of the Year 🇰🇪
Tickets & Tables
Three ways to be in the room.
Finalists and the people who nominated them receive complimentary tickets to the Gala. Group rates available for organisations bringing 5+ attendees.
Individual Ticket
One seat at the 2026 Gala. Includes the awards ceremony, dinner, drinks, and the after-party.
Table of Ten
Bring your team, your network, or your guests. A full table at the Gala for ten attendees, with priority seating, recognition in the programme, and a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Sponsor Table
Branded table placement, prominent recognition in the programme and on stage, and the opportunity to associate your brand with one of Africa's most powerful nights of the year.
Extend Your Stay: The PAWEN Victoria Falls Experience
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Curated for the PAWEN community.
After the celebration in Lusaka, join us on a journey to Victoria Falls, the breathtaking natural wonder shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This optional group trip is curated exclusively for the PAWEN community by a trusted travel partner, with a thoughtfully designed itinerary that includes guided tours of the Falls, sunset experiences, and time to connect with the women you have just spent the week celebrating.
It is the perfect way to extend your time in Zambia, deepen the friendships made at the Awards, and step into one of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes alongside fellow leaders, founders, and changemakers.
📅 Departing: Sunday, 15 November 2026 📍 Location: Livingstone, Zambia ✈️ Add-on package organised by our travel partner. Limited spaces.
For Sponsors
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.
✓ Category sponsorship (name a trophy)
✓ Table sponsorship (host clients in the room)
✓ Programme placement (brand visibility on stage and in the printed programme)
✓ Bespoke partnership packages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dress code?
African Glam. A celebration of African elegance, colour, and craftsmanship.
Can anyone attend the Gala, or is it only for finalists and winners?
The Gala is open to anyone with a ticket, finalists, nominators, sponsors, partners, and the wider PAWEN community.
Do finalists pay to attend?
No. Finalists and the people who nominated them receive complimentary tickets to the Gala.
Where can I stay in Lusaka?
A list of recommended hotels and partner accommodations will be shared with all ticket holders.
Can I bring a partner/guest?
Yes. Tickets are sold individually, and tables of ten are available for groups.
Will the Gala be live-streamed?
Selected highlights will be available digitally. The full Gala experience is in-person only.
What is the Victoria Falls Experience?
An optional curated group trip the day after the Gala, organised by a trusted travel partner.
Is travel to Lusaka straightforward?
Yes. Lusaka is well-connected by direct flights from across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and key diaspora hubs. Visa on Arrival is available for some countries; others will get VISA details with their tickets..
See You in Lusaka
One night. One room. The women shaping Africa’s next decade. Be in the room.