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 the First Lady of the Republic of Serbia and Minister-Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Serbia; Kaye-Anne Greenidge, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Barbados; Mrs. Nirmala Jeetah, Director, Healthcare & Life Sciences and ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub at the Economic Development Board of Mauritius; Solange Amichia, Managing Director and CEO Director & CEO, Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI); Dr. Emma Kantema, Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Republic of Namibia; Honourable Nthati Moorosi, Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Kingdom of Lesotho and Chair of the African Union ICT Committee; Phyllis Papadavid, Senior Research Fellow International Economic Development Group, represented Dr. Jodie Keane, Principal Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI); and Harumi Toyama, Gender Specialist (Private Sector) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The roundtable advanced critical discussions on strengthening alignment between policy, capital, and institutional frameworks to better support women-led enterprises. Participants explored how governments, investment promotion agencies, and capital providers can collaborate to create enabling environments, build investor-ready pipelines, and design financing mechanisms that support scalable enterprise growth. A key outcome of the dialogue was the shared recognition of the need to reposition women-led businesses as viable and competitive investment opportunities within global economic systems.
The dialogue further underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration, regional integration, and public-private partnerships in expanding market access and strengthening participation in global value chains. Participants identified practical pathways to address structural barriers, including access to capital, investor readiness, and policy coordination, while reinforcing the importance of system-wide alignment across stakeholders.
This roundtable forms part of a broader strategic engagement leading to the Global Power Women Forum London 2026. Insights generated from the session will inform the development of the Global Investment Roadmap & Power Intelligence Brief, aimed at driving long-term, system-level change in how women-led enterprises are supported and financed globally.
Building on these outcomes, CELD continues to play a central role in convening global stakeholders, translating dialogue into action, and driving coordinated approaches that bridge policy, capital, and enterprise ecosystems.
CELD: Driving Gender Equity Through Data-Driven Social Impact
At CELD (Center for Economic and Leadership Development), we empower women and girls to lead through data-driven, gender-smart solutions. As a global social impact enterprise and think tank currently in special consultative status with the UN ECOSOC since 2012, we partner with governments, organisations, and changemakers to tackle societal challenges through a gender lens.
What We Do
✅ Research & Advocacy – Shaping inclusive policies with gender-focused research
✅ Leadership & Recognition – Hosting global forums that spotlight women leaders
✅ Media & Storytelling – Changing narratives through publications and film
✅ STEM & Education – Equipping girls and women to thrive and lead
We don’t just elevate women, we design real, measurable pathways for them to lead.
CELD — Delivering Data-Driven Social Impact Through a Gender Lens.
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