Cambridge, United Kingdom | 9 June 2026 – Championing gender equality as the foundation of sustainable economic development, Hon. Dr. Emma Kantema (MP), Namibia’s Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, delivered a compelling address and was honoured with the prestigious Global Power Impact & Legacy Award at the Global Power Women Forum (GPWF) Cambridge 2026.
Her presentation, “Positioning Namibia’s Women-Powered Economy: Gender Equality, Human Capital and Investment Pathways Across Strategic Growth Sectors,” showcased Namibia’s bold policy reforms, investment opportunities and commitment to advancing women as drivers of national transformation.
The two-day Global Power Women 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 policymakers, diplomats, business executives, academics and development leaders to explore innovative strategies for strengthening women’s leadership and accelerating inclusive economic growth.
The Forum commenced on Day One with the GPWF Private Networking Mixer & Partnerships Dinner, providing a platform for high-level engagement, relationship-building and strategic partnerships among international delegates. Day Two featured the Opening Plenary: Women, Power & the Architecture of Global Economies, followed by the Insight-to-Action Roundtable, National Showcase – Women-Powered Economies in Action, Market Access, Trade & Capital Pathways, before culminating in the presentation of the Global Power Impact & Legacy Honours.
During her presentation, Hon. Dr. Kantema described gender equality as essential economic infrastructure, stressing that no nation can achieve sustainable prosperity while excluding half of its talent from economic participation. She highlighted Namibia’s constitutional commitment to equality, its internationally recognised progress in women’s political representation, and strategic reforms designed to expand women’s access to finance, markets, technology, education and leadership opportunities.
She further outlined Namibia’s National Gender Equality and Equity Policy (2025–2035), entrepreneurship initiatives, gender-responsive planning and budgeting, and the country’s vision to position women at the centre of strategic growth sectors, including agriculture, mining, renewable energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, logistics and the digital economy. She also called for stronger international partnerships to unlock investment, innovation and expanded opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In recognition of her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality, inclusive governance and women’s economic empowerment, Hon. Dr. Emma Kantema was presented with the Global Power Impact & Legacy Award. The honour celebrates distinguished leaders whose vision, policy leadership and public service continue to create lasting impact within their countries and inspire transformative change across the global community.
The Forum welcomed an exceptional assembly of global leaders, including Her Excellency Diana Nausėdienė, First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania; Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum; Baroness Sandy Verma, Member of the UK House of Lords; Her Excellency Mrs. Sara Amani, Ambassador of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Kingdom; Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, Co-Founder of the Christopher Oghogho Foundation; Ann Cotton OBE, Founder and Chair Emerita of CAMFED; Rachel Blackburn MBE; Dr. Renuka Thakore; Professor Tolullah Oni; Professor Ronita Bardhan; Professor Elizabeth Garnsey; Professor Fawzia Rasheed; Joan Asante; Tililenji Phiri; Mrs. Nanna Sylla Coulibaly; Mrs. Zeinabou Sidibé; and numerous distinguished representatives from government, academia, business and civil society.
The Global Power Women Forum Cambridge 2026 reaffirmed the importance of visionary leadership, international collaboration and inclusive economic policies in accelerating women’s leadership and building more resilient, equitable and prosperous societies worldwide.
About the Global Power Women Forum (GPWF)
The Global Power Women Forum (GPWF) is a premier international leadership platform convened by the Centre for Economic & Leadership Development (CELD) in strategic collaboration with Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. The Forum brings together influential women leaders, policymakers, diplomats, business executives, academics, and development partners from around the world to foster dialogue, strengthen strategic partnerships, and champion innovative solutions that advance women’s leadership, economic inclusion, and sustainable development.
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