WITH Final Conference: Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs across Africa
The event celebrated women’s entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality and promoted learning and collaboration.
The WITH Final Conference, held on 28 November 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa, made a significant impact and was celebrated in the framework of the AWIEF 2024 Conference. Under the theme “Future For All: Collaborate For Growth. Solve Inequity. Act On Climate” the event brought together dynamic women entrepreneurs from across Africa to highlight opportunities for growth, collaboration and empowerment in the hospitality and tourism sector.
As part of the Conference, WITH presented the panel session “WITH: Boosting Women Entrepreneurship Education in Sustainable Tourism & Hospitality (in partnership with EU)” moderated by Zandile Mpolselwa, Corporate Affairs Director – Kellanova (South Africa) and featuring Pablo Morales, Coordinator for EU and International Projects (Seville Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Spain), Ekene Ochem, Director of Programmes and Innovation at AWIEF (South Africa), Michelle Page, Chairlady, Women in Tourism Western Cape and Suzanne Naidoo, Director, Tsar Consulting Group (Pty) Ltd.
The panel highlighted insights from the WITH project, led by African and European organisations. The initiative empowered women entrepreneurs to drive sustainable growth and innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
The discussion focused on key aspects such as:
- Skills development and capacity building: How the project equipped women with the tools to embed sustainability in their businesses.
- Entrepreneurial opportunities: Unlocking market potential for women-led enterprises in sustainable tourism and hospitality.
- Collaboration and cross-border partnerships: The impact of African-European cooperation in strengthening women’s entrepreneurship.
- Challenges and solutions: Tackling obstacles to finance, market access, and networking for women in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The last day of the Conference, a practical workshop was led by the Seville Chamber of Commerce to empower participants with skills to combine sustainable tourism principles with effective online marketing strategies. Through interactive role-playing exercises, attendees sharpened their pitching skills and explored strategies to position their sustainable tourism ventures online. The session offered a dynamic platform to refine messaging, boost visibility, and drive business growth through digital marketing.
The 2 days Conference concluded with the AWIEF 2024 Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony on 29 November, celebrating the achievements of women entrepreneurs and industry leaders who are driving innovation and sustainability across Africa.
The WITH Project’s participation in AWIEF 2024 reinforced its commitment to empower women in the tourism and hospitality sectors, contributing to the creation of a global network that supports women’s professional development.
The WITH Project is supported by a consortium of key partners, including the Seville Chamber of Commerce (lead partner), INCOMA, CESIE, AWIEF (African Women Innovation& Entrepreneurship Forum), Equip Consulting Group and Gift Women Link Foundation.
