The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has partnered with Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation and Rwanda Convention Bureau for its 9th edition of the annual AWIEF Conference, Exhibition, and Awards. The event will take place at the Kigali Convention Centre, in Rwanda, on 9 and 10 November 2023.

The AWIEF conference, established in 2015, is Africa’s leading entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology platform, bringing together over 1,300 entrepreneurs and startups, industry experts, thought leaders, policy drivers, and change-makers from across Government, Corporate and Development sectors. The event aims to discuss new ideas, initiatives, strategies, and solutions to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, digitization, intra-Africa trade, investing, food security, climate action, sustainability, economic and social transformation in Africa.

Details of the 9th Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Conference, Exhibition and Awards:

Detail	Information
Date	9 and 10 November 2023
Venue	Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda
Hosts	Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation and Rwanda Convention Bureau
Theme	Inclusive digital transformation and closing the gender gap
Features	Multi-sector exhibition, workshops, AWIEF Awards and gala dinner, networking opportunities
Registration	Open, with early bird tickets available until the end of April 2023. Apply here.
Visa requirements	Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member countries will obtain a 30-day free visa on arrival. All other visitors will get a visa upon arrival at a fee

The event features a multi-sector exhibition, workshops, the AWIEF Awards, and gala dinner, and networking opportunities.

The conference will discuss practical solutions to accelerate Africa’s inclusive digital transformation and contribute to closing the gender gap.

Registration for the conference has opened, and early bird tickets are available until the end of April. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member countries will obtain a 30-day free visa on arrival, while all other visitors will get a visa upon arrival, at a fee.

The AWIEF Founder and CEO, Irene Ochem, said that the partnership with the Ministry and RCB is closely aligned with AWIEF’s passion and purpose. The conference will be the most dynamic and engaging one yet, and AWIEF is excited to bring its international speakers, guests, and delegates to Kigali, one of the most progressive cities in Africa.

Janet Karemera, the CEO of Rwanda Convention Bureau, said that the event provides a platform for over 1,000 private sector actors, experts, policy-makers, and thought-leaders to discuss issues related to Africa’s inclusive economic growth and to further advance women’s economic empowerment and business leadership on the continent. She added that the government of Rwanda is pleased to partner with AWIEF to host the next edition of their Conference and Awards, in Kigali.

The Minister of ICT and Innovation of the Republic of Rwanda, Ms Paula Ingabire, said that Rwanda understands the critical role of women in national development and transformation, and the country is delighted to host the 9th Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Conference and Awards, in November.

AWIEF Participants

Participants	Description
Entrepreneurs and startups	Over 1,300 entrepreneurs and startups
Industry experts, thought leaders, policy drivers	From across Government, Corporate and Development sectors
Change-makers	For impactful discussions and dialogue on new ideas
Private sector actors, experts, policy-makers, thought-leaders	To discuss issues related to Africa’s inclusive economic growth and further advance women economic empowerment and business leadership on the continent.