









Welcome
Our vision at the Graça Machel Trust is a prosperous Africa in which women and girls drive the inclusive social, political and economic transformation of the continent. So it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Women Creating Wealth-Intergenerational Summit for 2024. Our flagship enterprise development programme, Women Creating Wealth, plays a critical role in advancing our strategic goal of women’s economic advancement on the continent. In this transformative three-day event, we will be bringing together intergenerational, multi sectoral individuals, organisations, captains of industry, and as well as local and global advocates and allies of women’s economic advancement. We will explore the immense potential of Africa’s women and youth entrepreneurs, harnessing our collective power to break through barriers and create lasting wealth.
At the heart of this summit is our shared mission to dismantle the systemic, personal, and environmental challenges that have hindered our economic and social progress. Together, we will unlock new pathways to growth, champion innovation, and cultivate resilient ecosystems that support thriving businesses across the continent. This is not just a summit—it is a movement of bold leaders, change-makers, and visionaries who are shaping Africa’s future.
I encourage each of you to engage fully, network with intention, and embrace the tools and connections that will help propel your journey forward. Our goal is to ensure that you leave here with renewed confidence, actionable insights, and powerful partnerships to build wealth and create meaningful impact.
Let’s rise together, dismantle barriers, and build a future where our entrepreneurs lead Africa’s economic renaissance. Thank you for being part of this vital journey.
In solidarity,
Graça Machel
Founder, The Graça Machel Trust
Welcome
Our vision at the Graça Machel Trust is a prosperous Africa in which women and girls drive the inclusive social, political and economic transformation of the continent. So it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Women Creating Wealth-Intergenerational Summit for 2024. Our flagship enterprise development programme, Women Creating Wealth, plays a critical role in advancing our strategic goal of women’s economic advancement on the continent. In this transformative three-day event, we will be bringing together intergenerational, multi sectoral individuals, organisations, captains of industry, and as well as local and global advocates and allies of women’s economic advancement. We will explore the immense potential of Africa’s women and youth entrepreneurs, harnessing our collective power to break through barriers and create lasting wealth.
At the heart of this summit is our shared mission to dismantle the systemic, personal, and environmental challenges that have hindered our economic and social progress. Together, we will unlock new pathways to growth, champion innovation, and cultivate resilient ecosystems that support thriving businesses across the continent. This is not just a summit—it is a movement of bold leaders, change-makers, and visionaries who are shaping Africa’s future.
I encourage each of you to engage fully, network with intention, and embrace the tools and connections that will help propel your journey forward. Our goal is to ensure that you leave here with renewed confidence, actionable insights, and powerful partnerships to build wealth and create meaningful impact.
Let’s rise together, dismantle barriers, and build a future where our entrepreneurs lead Africa’s economic renaissance. Thank you for being part of this vital journey.
In solidarity,
Graça Machel
Founder, The Graça Machel Trust
Women Creating Wealth Summit :
Breaking Barriers, Building Wealth
The Breaking Barriers, Building Wealth summit, organized by the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) in conjunction with its flagship Women Creating Wealth (WCW) program, serves as a key driver of transformation for women and youth entrepreneurs across Africa. The three-day event is rooted in GMT’s mission to reach 10,000 women, who will collectively create $1 billion in value and 200,000 jobs within the next four years. Entrepreneurs are at the heart of problem-solving, innovation, and economic growth through job creation and wealth building but they face significant growth challenges at three critical levels: Personal Agency, Ecosystem Support, and an Enabling Environment.
The Women Creating Wealth program is designed to address these challenges holistically:
- Personal Transformation and Agency: Equipping women and youth with the mindset, skills, and confidence to take ownership of their entrepreneurial journey and navigate barriers to growth.
- Ecosystem Strengthening: Building a supportive network around entrepreneurs by mobilizing families, communities, mentors, and champions who advocate for better access to markets, finance, and business services.
- Advocating for an Enabling Environment: Shifting the narrative on women and youth entrepreneurship by influencing policies and advocating for an environment that fosters inclusivity, access, and long-term success.
This summit will convene entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, donors, and thought leaders to reflect on the current state of African entrepreneurship, assess progress, and chart a course for the future. Participants will be empowered with the tools, networks, and resilience to break barriers at the personal, systemic, and environmental levels, paving the way for wealth creation and entrepreneurial success.


Summit Objectives:
- Strengthen Agency And Entrepreneurial Innovation: : Enhancing participants’ confidence, mindset, and leadership skills to take control of their entrepreneurial journey, break through personal barriers, and scale their businesses. Inspire women and youth entrepreneurs to think big and develop innovative solutions that create sustainable businesses, jobs, and economic growth.
- Strengthen the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Mobilize ecosystem partners—mentors, investors, donors, and community stakeholders—to collaborate on creating a supportive environment that advances access to finance, markets, and business development services. Facilitate meaningful partnerships and connections that lead to actionable steps for growth, investment, and scaling impact across Africa.
- Advocate for an Enabling Environment: Engage policymakers and influential stakeholders in discussions to promote inclusive policies and remove systemic barriers that limit the potential of women and youth entrepreneurs.
Benefits of Attending
- Actionable Knowledge and Strategies: Participants will gain new insights, practical tools, and strategies that can be immediately applied to overcome personal, systemic, and environmental challenges in their entrepreneurial journeys. These strategies will help entrepreneurs accelerate business growth, expand market access, and attract investment, which in turn contributes to job creation and wealth building
- Strengthened support structures, Networks and Partnerships: Entrepreneurs will leave the summit with expanded networks of peers, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners. This collaborative environment fosters growth and sustainability. By engaging with ecosystem partners, the summit will lay the groundwork for more robust and sustainable support systems that continue beyond the event, thereby advancing the broader mission of the Women Creating Wealth program
- Presentation of Recommendations on Personal Transformation and Agency, Ecosystem and Policy: Concluding with key outcomes, on personal transformation, agency, ecosystem, and policy, highlighting key proposals to enhance entrepreneurship and create an environment that fosters continuous innovation.