By Bolaji Okunola
First Ladies from across Africa will in June convene for the inaugural First Ladies of Africa Impact & Resilience (FLAIR) Summit, focusing on women’s roles and contributions, as well as strategies for youth empowerment across the continent.
The summit is co-founded by Dr. Yvonne Thompson CBE DLL, a distinguished British business leader and the visionary behind the WinTrade Global Women In Business Network, will serve as a platform for Africa’s first ladies to unveil transformative, cross-sectoral initiatives designed to tackle pressing developmental challenges.
The initiatives are anticipated to encompass vital domains such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and leadership, each with a primary focus on empowering women and youth.
FLAIR is being organized in partnership with prominent collaborators, including the London Stock Exchange, the Financial Times, and key stakeholders from both public and private sectors across the continent.
According to the organizers’ statement, the three-day summit commencing June 16 will convene decision-makers, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for high-level engagement and catalytic dialogue
“Among the principal collaborators are Elevate Africa, a non-profit organization redefining African narratives through media, and Compass Global, a consultancy dedicated to connecting African enterprises with international markets.
“The summit will illuminate the power of emerging African narratives, particularly as articulated by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which has unlocked tremendous potential for intra-African commerce and industrial collaboration. Grounded in Agenda 2063 of the African Union and aligned with six pivotal United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the summit acts as a global rallying point to foster measurable outcomes and cross-border advancements,”the organizers disclosed in their statement.
A highlight of the event, which will take place at the Royal Leonardo Hotel, is the collective appearance and leadership of Africa’s First Ladies, who will showcase country-led solutions and unveil joint action plans aimed at accelerating inclusive growth.
Their participation signifies a new chapter in pan-African collaboration, wherein the role of First Ladies transcends ceremonial influence to encompass policy formulation and community-level impact.
Thompson remarked, “FLAIR 2025 is more than a conference; it is a continental call to action. African women are already propelling businesses, communities, and governments. Now, we are amplifying their voices on the global stage to engage in discourse, debate, and deliver enduring solutions for Africa’s future.”
The organizers indicated that facilitators will address pivotal themes such as redefining women’s empowerment, industrialization, digital innovation, sustainability, and public-private collaboration.
Additionally, the program will emphasize the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises and the promotion of regional integration as catalysts for economic transformation.
Visits to significant UK institutions, including the House of Lords, House of Commons, and the London Stock Exchange, are also planned.