Category

Press Release

Category

Zeinabou Sidibé Calls for Smarter Trade Finance to Unlock Women-Led Enterprises at GPWF Cambridge 2026

Cambridge, United Kingdom | 9 June 2026 – Closing the financing gap for women-led enterprises took centre stage at the Global Power Women Forum (GPWF) Cambridge 2026 as Zeinabou Sidibé, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Afrisends, presented a practical roadmap for transforming informal trade into bankable, investment-ready businesses across West Africa. Speaking during the Forum’s National Showcase, she demonstrated how innovative trade-finance solutions can accelerate the growth of women entrepreneurs while strengthening regional economic integration. The two-day Forum was convened by the Centre for Economic & Leadership Development (CELD) in strategic collaboration with Wolfson College, University of Cambridge and hosted by Dr. Mrs. Ibifuro Ken-Giami, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CELD and Publisher of Amazons Watch Magazine. Held under the theme, “Women-Powered Economies: Capital, Trade & the Future of Economic Governance,” the Forum brought together global leaders, policymakers, diplomats, business executives, academics and development partners to advance practical…

Dr. Renuka Thakore Calls for a New Era of Consequence Capital at GPWF Cambridge 2026

Cambridge, United Kingdom | 9 June 2026 – At the Global Power Women Forum (GPWF) Cambridge 2026, Dr. Renuka Thakore, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Sustainable Futures Network CIC, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “Consequence Capital: Climate Finance, Human Capital Protection and the New Architecture of Long-Term Sustainable Investment,” calling for a fundamental shift towards investment models that prioritise climate resilience, human capital protection and long-term sustainable value creation. Convened by the Centre for Economic & Leadership Development (CELD) in strategic collaboration with Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, the two-day Forum was hosted by Dr. Mrs. Ibifuro Ken-Giami, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CELD and Publisher of Amazons Watch Magazine. Held under the theme, “Women-Powered Economies: Capital, Trade & the Future of Economic Governance,” the Forum convened influential women leaders, policymakers, diplomats, business executives, academics and development partners to examine innovative pathways for building inclusive and…

Global Power Women Forum 2026 Concludes at Cambridge with a Bold Call to Build Women-Powered Economies

The Global Power Women Forum (GPWF) 2026 concluded successfully at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, bringing together an exceptional gathering of global leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, entrepreneurs, development practitioners, and changemakers committed to shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future. Convened by the Centre for Economic & Leadership Development (CELD) in strategic collaboration with Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, this year’s Forum was held under the theme: “Women-Powered Economies: Capital, Trade & the Future of Economic Governance.” More than a conference, GPWF 2026 served as a strategic platform for high-level dialogue, partnership-building, and action-oriented engagement focused on the role of women in designing, financing, governing, and sustaining the economies of the future. The Forum welcomed an impressive delegation of global leaders and influencers, including Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, represented by an official delegation; Her Excellency Diana Nausėdienė, First Lady of Lithuania; Her Excellency Ambassador Prof.…

The Rise of Women-Powered Economies: GPWF Cambridge 2026 Positions Women Leaders at the Centre of Capital, Trade and Economic Governance

At a time when global economies are navigating profound shifts in capital flows, trade systems, institutional governance, and economic resilience, the Global Power Women Forum (GPWF) Cambridge 2026 will convene an exceptional gathering of world leaders, policymakers, investors, academics, and enterprise leaders to examine the growing role of women in shaping the future of economic governance. Held in strategic collaboration with Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, GPWF Cambridge 2026 is built around the theme, “Women-Powered Economies: Capital, Trade and the Future of Economic Governance.” More than a women’s conference, the Forum is designed as a global power platform where influence converts to investment, leadership shapes economies, and strategic partnerships create pathways for sustainable development and shared prosperity. As nations face increasing pressure to stabilise capital flows, reform trade systems, strengthen institutional governance, and deliver measurable socio-economic outcomes, women leaders are playing increasingly influential roles in shaping fiscal policy, industrial strategy,…

CELD Hosts High-Level Global Policy Think Tank Roundtable: A Strategic Dialogue on Women-Led Investment Ecosystems

The Centre for Economic & Leadership Development (CELD), UK, successfully convened a high-level Global Policy Think Tank Roundtable on 30 March 2026, bringing together an influential network of senior government leaders, investment promotion executives, development finance experts, and global policymakers. The closed-door virtual dialogue focused on advancing women-led investment ecosystems and unlocking scalable economic opportunities across emerging and global markets. The event was curated and hosted by Dr. Ibifuro Ken-Giami, Executive Director of CELD, UK, a global convener driving strategic platforms that connect leadership, policy, and investment to deliver measurable impact. The roundtable was moderated by Amanda Ushedo, Founder of Western Square Capital. Distinguished speakers included Her Excellency Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia who was represented by Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, Republic of Slovenia; Her Excellency Tamara Vučić, First Lady of the Republic of Serbia, who was represented by Mr. Goran Marković, Advisor to…

Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) 2025 Set to Ignite a Global Shift in Women-Led Leadership and Prosperity in New York

NEW YORK, USA — In a world rapidly redefining power and progress, the Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) 2025 emerges as the flagship platform where vision, leadership, and legacy converge to shape the future. On 25 September 2025, New York City will host the most anticipated global gathering of female leaders under the theme: “The Power Shift: Women Reimagining Leadership, Legacy, and Global Prosperity.” A key highlight of this high-profile gathering will be the Global Induction Ceremony, where a distinguished cohort of women leaders will be formally welcomed into the Global Power Women Network (GPWN) — an esteemed, multi-tiered platform dedicated to mobilizing capital, shaping policy, and forging strategic cross-sector alliances that accelerate women’s leadership on a global scale. GPWN has as its Global Chair, Reta Jo Lewis, the Immediate Past Chair, U.S. Export Import (EXIM) Bank, appointed by President Jo Biden to lead the $135 billion US Government Trade…

Shazia Azim Honored for Transforming Global Finance and Championing Inclusion at the 2025 GPW Awards in London

London, United Kingdom – [April 2025] – At the prestigious 2025 Global Power Women Awards (GPW Awards) held in London, Shazia Azim, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) UK, was awarded the Global Diaspora Legacy Award for her extraordinary contributions to the financial services industry and her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive leadership. The GPW Awards celebrates the power of women to effect meaningful change in their professions and communities. Shazia Azim stood out as a global icon, recognized not only for her technical expertise in finance and risk but also for her pioneering leadership in creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem. With over 25 years of industry experience, Shazia has built an impressive career across leading institutions including Goldman Sachs, UBS, and RBS before joining PwC UK, where she currently leads Financial Services Consulting. Her work continues to shape the future of banking, capital management, and risk strategy on a global scale. A Rhodes Scholar originally…