Rabat: African women’s leadership was spotlighted at the 5th Africanity Summit, which opened on Friday in Rabat, bringing together African diplomats and civil society stakeholders.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the event was initiated by the Africanity Trophy Foundation (FTA) and also gathered academic, economic, and media figures from several African countries including Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Niger, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Togo, the Central African Republic, the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Chad, and Burundi, as well as from France and Italy.

In his address at the opening of the summit, FTA President Nasrallah Belkhayate emphasized the significance of the theme of women’s leadership, noting that women contribute to 40% of Africa’s GDP. He expressed hope for an Africa where young girls can have full confidence in their societal roles over the next decade.

Mostafa Belkhayate, FTA co-founder and world champion in artificial intelligence applied to trading, highlighted women’s potential to drive economic and social transformations in Africa, especially in sectors like energy and innovation, due to their ability to create synergies and address common challenges collectively.

Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences Sector at ICESCO, stressed the necessity of recognizing and strengthening African women’s leadership for the continent’s future.

Rita Maria Zniber, Chairwoman and CEO of Diana Holding and guest of honor, remarked that African women’s leadership is strategic rather than symbolic. She acknowledged Morocco’s strategic priorities under King Mohammed VI, focusing on human development, South-South cooperation, and African integration.

The summit’s program, continuing until June 7, includes thematic panels on topics such as ‘The Floor to African Women Leaders,’ ‘African Leadership,’ and ‘Women’s Leadership and Peace in Africa.’