Empowering Women: Financial Alliance for Women’s Annual Summit 2025 Set for Kigali, Rwanda

The Financial Alliance for Women is set to host its Annual Summit 2025 on May 28 and 29 in Kigali, Rwanda, under the auspices of the National Bank of Rwanda and Access to Finance Rwanda. This premier event highlights the transformative power of the female economy, bringing together leaders from the financial sector and policymakers to share innovative solutions for women’s economic empowerment.

In addition to the main summit, the Alliance will organize three Annex Events designed to facilitate deeper engagement and networking among attendees. These include a Members-only session on May 27, the WFID Annual Meeting on May 29, and the WE Finance Code Study Tour on May 30.

The Summit will feature a diverse agenda, including a policy and investor forum, best practice panels, and workshops. Attendees will have unparalleled opportunities to network with the world’s leading practitioners dedicated to advancing women’s markets.

Mark your calendars for this impactful event, and stay tuned for further details as they unfold!

Reflecting on Past Success: Highlights from the 2024 Annual Summit

The 2024 Annual Summit focused on propelling women through the entrepreneurial funnel—from startup to growth and eventual exit strategies. Key discussions revolved around the types of financing required at each stage, ranging from angel investments to debt financing and venture capital. The Summit emphasized the necessity of closing the gender gap in access to these funding sources.

Moreover, the event addressed the need for non-financial services to support women on their entrepreneurial journeys, advocating for the creation of supportive ecosystems that foster female entrepreneurship.

Critical topics explored included the enabling factors essential for a more inclusive financial services sector—such as gender diversity, equity, and inclusion within both the industry and policymaking institutions. Participants discussed the importance of sex-disaggregated data in shaping commercial and public sector strategies, as well as technological advancements paving the way for innovative business models targeted at women—transformations unimaginable just a decade ago.

Additionally, the Summit tackled the pressing issue of climate change, focusing on how the financial services sector can help women build resilience and adapt to a changing environment.

As anticipation builds for the upcoming Annual Summit in Kigali, the Financial Alliance for Women continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving meaningful change in women’s economic empowerment.