“The HERitage Collective is an intentional response to a pressing gap in the market,” asserts Sally Nnamani, the Co-Founder of the Collective. “Throughout the continent, countless talented and ambitious African women find themselves excluded from the strategic networks that open doors to capital, mentorship, and influence. Addressing this isn’t merely a social concern; it signifies an overlooked investment opportunity—a structural inefficiency that hinders overall growth. Through curated experiences like HER.Circle, we aim to connect powerhouse women, emerging leaders, and supportive male allies to foster collaboration, increase visibility, and ultimately cultivate a pipeline of investable talent. Our mission is to accelerate inclusive leadership across the continent.”
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The origins of the HERitage Collective can be traced back to a pivotal moment in September 2024 during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Observing a glaring absence of emerging African women leaders at high-profile events, Habibah A. Waziri—an influential pan-African strategist and co-founder—decided to take action. She created a WhatsApp group to extend personal invitations and share contacts among a trusted circle of women who are reshaping Africa’s business landscape.
What began as a small act of connection inspired something far more significant. Within months, this intimate gathering evolved into a transcontinental platform that links emerging female changemakers across Africa and the diaspora, all unified by a mission to bridge the often-daunting gap between ambition and access.
HER.Circle: A Space Without Filters, yet Brimming with Intention
The inaugural theme for HER.Circle, “Power. Access. Influence: Closing the Gap Between Ambition & Access,” confidently set the tone for the evening. Huguette Umutoni, founder of N’gage Africa and co-founder of the Collective, kicked off the event with a compelling appeal for authenticity and bold leadership.
“Our collaboration with HERitage Collective was a rare and powerful moment—women were the majority in the room,” remarked Maëliss Blah, Sales & Marketing Manager at La Résidence Abidjan, the city’s premier private members’ club. “We heard voices that are often sidelined in conversations. These women, though perhaps unnoticed, wield tremendous influence. I hope more of them find space here.”
Throughout the evening, participants engaged meaningfully with three strategic pillars:
- Visibility & Voice: Elevating African women, allowing their lived experiences and cultural wisdom to shape decisions across various sectors.
- Access & Exposure: Dismantling the structures that gatekeep opportunities to unlock vital networks and funding.
- Capacity & Collective Growth: Investing in systems and skills that empower African women not only to participate but to lead.
“We don’t need to be empowered; we need to be trusted, invested in, and heard,” stated Fatima Soleiman, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. Roof Rwanda. “HER.Circle represents a collective commitment to constructing pipelines that connect women to the rooms where future decisions are made.”
But this was more than just a dinner gathering—it was a strategic intervention. Led by visionary figures like Waziri, Umutoni, Nnamani, and Soleiman, the HERitage Collective emerges as a transformative network, acting as a launchpad for change. Its objectives are crystal clear, and its ambitions robust:
- Crafting compelling narratives through digital storytelling.
- Placing women in spaces where significant decisions occur.
- Democratizing access to crucial expertise, mentorship, and financial backing.
Afetsi Awoonor, Executive Director of the Afetsi Awoonor Foundation, echoed the sentiment: “When African women rise, entire communities flourish. This initiative embodies power, purpose, and possibility, and we take pride in our alliance with them.”
The evening culminated in a collective toast—an enduring affirmation of heritage, sisterhood, and a shared commitment to open doors, recommend, endorse, and invest in one another wholeheartedly.
“Any movement that champions the growth of women is a no-brainer for us,” said Valerie Obaeze, CEO of R&R Skincare. Female-led brand LYVV Cosmetics recognized the urgency of the moment, opting to invest without hesitation.
For Barry Johnson, Founder of 7 Generations Africa and an early sponsor of this initiative, the shared vision couldn’t be more aligned: “We’re creating structures for African families to thrive for generations—100, even 200 years. HER.Circle is a powerful representation of that long-term leadership.”
With plans for more editions set to unfold across the continent, the HERitage Collective aims to expand the HER.Circle series in tandem with major global forums. The goal is straightforward: amplify African women’s leadership, broaden their networks, and accelerate their pathways to positions of power.
Did you miss HER.Circle Abidjan? You can catch the highlights and hear directly from The HERitage Collective Founders and Partners in our official event recap here. Stay connected to the community for updates and engagement opportunities here.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
