Held under the Honorary Presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, the fourth edition of the Women Summit, organized by Startup Grow Foundation on 25–26 June 2026 in Casablanca, concluded with outstanding success, further consolidating its position as a leading Pan-African platform dedicated to women’s leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and cooperation.

Bringing together more than 200 high-level participants from Morocco and several African countries—including Gabon, Cameroon, Liberia, Senegal, Tunisia, Burkina Faso—as well as Ukraine, this edition welcomed ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, business leaders, representatives of public and international institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, academics, cooperatives, media professionals, and committed young leaders.

Held under the theme “Atlantic Initiative: Women Driving Africa’s Inclusive & Sustainable Growth,” the fourth edition aligns fully with the Atlantic Initiative launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, which aims to strengthen South-South cooperation, foster the economic integration of African Atlantic states, and promote inclusive, sustainable, and shared development.

High-Level Institutional Mobilization

The opening ceremony reflected the international stature of the Women Summit and its role as a Pan-African platform for dialogue, cooperation, and economic development. It brought together:

H.E. Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Kingdom of Morocco;
H.E. Mr. Abdelaziz Branly Martial Oupolo, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to the Kingdom of Morocco, officially representing the First Lady of the Gabonese Republic;
H.E. Mrs. Haja Mamaka Bility, Minister of State attached to the President of the Republic of Liberia;
H.E. Mr. Joseph Johnson, Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia;
H.E. Mr. Serhii Saienko, Ambassador of Ukraine;
H.E. Mr. Mamadou Coulibaly, Ambassador of Burkina Faso;
H.E. Mrs. Unielle Mfuri Yanknga Oupolo, President of the Diplomatic Circle;
H.E. Mr. Aoumarou Ousmanou, President of the North Region of the Republic of Cameroon;
Mr. Saïd Jabrani, Chief Executive Officer of Tamwilcom;
Mr. Anouar Alaoui, Chief Executive Officer of Maroc PME;
Mrs. Loubna Tricha, Director General of OFPPT;
Mrs. Hind Berrada, Vice-President of APEBI;
Professor Rajaa Aghzadi, oncological surgeon, member of the New Development Model Commission and of the African Academy of Health;
Mrs. Nawal Sfendla, Moroccan mountaineer decorated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him;
Mrs. Zineb Bennouna, CSR and Communications Director at Holcim Morocco;
Mrs. Samira Abaragh, Director of CSR, Philanthropy, Sponsorship and Internal Communication at Cosumar;
together with Mrs. Hanane AIT AISSA, President of Startup Grow Foundation and Founder of the Women Summit.

Startup Grow Foundation Turns Dialogue into Action

Through the Women Summit, Startup Grow Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Royal Vision by creating sustainable bridges between public, private, and civil society stakeholders across the continent, while fostering strategic partnerships that contribute to a more integrated, innovative, and inclusive Africa.

This commitment was translated into concrete action through the signing of two strategic partnership agreements, further strengthening the cooperation dynamic promoted by the Atlantic Initiative.

The first partnership agreement was signed with the Diplomatic Circle, represented by H.E. Mrs. Unielle Mfuri Yanknga Oupolo, President of the Diplomatic Circle and spouse of H.E. Mr. Abdelaziz Branly Martial Oupolo, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to the Kingdom of Morocco. This partnership aims to develop joint initiatives in the fields of women’s leadership, economic diplomacy, intercultural dialogue, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation.

The second agreement was concluded with the North Region of the Republic of Cameroon, represented by H.E. Mr. Aoumarou Ousmanou, President of the Region. It opens new avenues for cooperation in the areas of innovation, skills development, youth empowerment, digital transformation, the social and solidarity economy, and territorial development.

Through these agreements, the Women Summit further confirms its role as a Pan-African platform for action, capable of transforming dialogue into concrete partnerships that contribute to Africa’s sustainable development.

“The Women Summit is much more than an event. It has become a Pan-African platform that transforms encounters into partnerships, ideas into projects, and ambitions into concrete actions for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable Africa. Through Startup Grow Foundation, we remain fully committed to supporting the cooperation momentum driven by the Atlantic Initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him.”

Hanane AIT AISSA
President of Startup Grow Foundation and Founder of the Women Summit.

Ubuntu Awards 2026: “I Am Because We Are”

A highlight of this fourth edition, the second Ubuntu Awards Ceremony paid tribute to outstanding personalities and organizations whose commitment contributes to the human, economic, and social development of the African continent.

Inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu—“I Am Because We Are”—these awards celebrate women, men, and institutions that embody the values of solidarity, leadership, excellence, and collective impact.

The Jury’s Special Recognition Award was presented to H.E. Mrs. Zita Oligui Nguema, First Lady of the Gabonese Republic, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to human development and solidarity.

The Jury Award for Inclusive and Transformational Leadership was presented to Mrs. Nawal El Moutawakel, Olympic Champion and Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, in recognition of her exceptional career and her role as an inspiring model for African generations.

Organizer’s Awards

The Organizer’s Awards recognized the following recipients:

Mrs. Haja Mamaka Bility received the Public Governance & African Leadership Award;
Holcim Morocco received the Sustainable Inclusion Award for its Nebniw Hayat program;
H.E. Mr. Aoumarou Ousmanou received the Territorial Inclusion Award;
Mrs. Fatima Ghadir, President of the Biogard Pro Cooperative, received the Social Entrepreneurship Award;
Mrs. Nawal Sfendla received the Challenger Award, recognizing her remarkable journey and outstanding sporting achievements.

Through these distinctions, the Ubuntu Awards reaffirm their mission of celebrating the women, men, and institutions who are building a more united, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.