Olufemi Odeyemi, Nairobi, Kenya
The inaugural Kenya edition of the Voice of Africa Leadership Summit (VOALS) has drawn to a triumphant close, capping a four-day convergence of some of the continent’s most influential women with a message that resonated far beyond the walls of the International Argyle Grand Hotel: it is time for women to reclaim their voice, their identity, and their rightful place at the tables where Africa’s future is decided.
Organised by its founder and convener, Dr. Yetunde Folami, the summit brought together business leaders, executive coaches, philanthropists, mentors and changemakers from Nigeria, Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States for a week of mentorship, dialogue and celebration of African womanhood in leadership.
A Summit Rooted in Purpose, the programme opened on Tuesday, August 25, not with speeches but with service. Delegates visited the University of Nairobi, where pharmacy faculty students were treated to an empowerment lecture and gifts from Dr. Folami and the Amsha Africa Foundation. Modupe Mabawonku and Uche O’Keem also addressed the students, adding their voices to a session that set an early tone that leadership, at VOALS, would be measured as much by impact as by influence.
The following evening, a pre-summit dinner at the International Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi gathered the summit’s roster of “high-value” women leaders for an intimate night of networking, allowing delegates to connect before the main event and forge the kind of relationships organisers hope will outlast the summit itself.
Leadership Renaissance Took Centre Stage as the main summit unfolded on Thursday, August 27, opening with a welcome address from Dr. Folami on the theme “Leadership Renaissance: Reclaiming Identity, Voice and Influence.” Her address framed the day’s central appeal: that African women must step confidently into the leadership positions they have long been qualified for but too often denied.
The day’s keynote sessions tackled leadership from both an inward and systemic lens. Executive coach Bola Matel-Okoh explored the theme “Owning Your Authority: The Inner Work of Leadership,” examining the personal transformation that precedes public influence, while Dr. Wale Akinyemi addressed “Human-Centred Leadership in Complex Systems,” a call for leadership models built around empathy and adaptability in an unpredictable world.
An executive fireside conversation, “The Leadership Renaissance: Shaping Africa’s Future Through Values, Vision and Influence,” brought Dr. Akinyemi, Coach Matel-Okoh, Lillian Ngala and Dr. Folami together on one stage for a wide-ranging exchange on the values that must underpin the continent’s next generation of leaders.
Three further leadership conversations rounded out the day’s intellectual programme. “Amplified: The Modern Executive Woman’s Playbook for Voice, Power and Influence” featured panelists Titi Ikhile, Nellie Kinyanjui and Oladoyin Taiwo. “Beyond the Title: The Untold Stories of Women Who Lead” brought together Dr. Patricia Murugami, Essie Daniel, Olugbesoye Olujimi and Michelle Wanjiku for candid reflections on the personal cost and quiet victories behind public leadership. Dr. Winifred Meme closed the conversation series with “The Power of Mentorship: Voice Amplification and Future-Forward Leadership,” underscoring mentorship as the thread that sustains leadership across generations.
Honouring Africa’s Leading Women
The summit’s high point came with the presentation of the inaugural VOALS Awards, recognising women whose work has reshaped communities, industries and the narrative around African womanhood.
The VOALS Leadership Renaissance Award, honouring transformational leadership and vision with lasting impact across Africa and beyond, went to Coach Bola Matel-Okoh, founder of the Women’s Lifestyle Hub.
The VOALS Legacy of Excellence Award, celebrating sustained excellence and influence, was presented to British-born Nigerian technology leader Dr. Adeshola Cole-Alegbe, CEO of Tritek Consulting UK and Tritek Academy.
The VOALS Enterprise and Innovation Award, for entrepreneurs building economic and social impact in tandem, was awarded to Foluke Adedokun, CEO of FruitieWorld.
The VOALS Voice of Impact Award went to Mercy Achola, founder of Value Connect, recognising her work amplifying voices and creating opportunity.
The VOALS Community Transformation Award was presented to Kenyan leader Cynthia Marebs, COO of Streethub and founder of Early Blessings, in recognition of leadership through service and social impact.
The VOALS Transformational Leadership Award, celebrating an emerging leader poised to shape Africa’s future, went to Lillian Ngala, HR Director and founder of the Lillian Ngala Network.
Rounding out the evening, the VOALS Heart of Service Award, honouring selfless service and compassionate leadership, was presented to Nigerian-American Nwayigwe Okpa, founder and executive director of Grace Give Back World.
By the close of the summit anchored by Dr. Tiffany Oloke, delegates had committed to a shared resolve: to take ownership of their narratives, wield their influence deliberately, collaborate across borders and sectors, and translate the day’s conversations into sustained action.
With speakers and honourees drawn from Nigeria, Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States, VOALS Kenya 2026 positioned itself not merely as a one-off gathering but as the opening chapter of a continent-wide movement, one intent on ensuring that the next telling of Africa’s leadership story is written, unmistakably, in women’s voices.
