The Echo Effect: From Kenya to the rest of Africa
Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) held its inaugural South-to-South Pan-African Dialogue on Women’s Leadership on September 17, 2026. The virtual dialogue brought together more than 200 participants from eleven countries, most of whom were from Africa. The dialogue focused on the theme: “Women to the Seat, On the Seat, Beyond the Seat.” Speaking at the event, Dr. Jennifer Riria, ENAF’s President and CEO, anchored the dialogue in the “Echo effect,” the idea that a solution developed in one community can be easily replicated in other countries on the continent, hence the ‘Echo’ effect. Setting a tone of fierce urgency, Dr. Riria challenged the continent with the shocking question: “Are we prepared to wait 120 to 150 years for Africa to close the gender gap?” Dr. Riria emphasized that “girls and women are central to societal transformation. The future of Africa is its women, and it is time we stand together, step forward, and boldly declare that we will lead Africa.”
Other notable speakers included Dr. Angelina Mattijo-Bazugba, Founding Director of the National Transformational Leadership Institute (NTLI) in South Sudan, who spoke extensively on affirmative action. Others included Dr. Oliver Waindi of Uraia Trust (Kenya), who spoke on trends in governance and women’s inclusion; Ms. Mercy Mwangi of KEWOPA (Kenya) on legislative mastery; Dr. Mufuliat Dasola Fijabi of International IDEA (Nigeria), who spoke about resource mobilization; Mrs. Jeannette Uwizeye of FECCLAHA (Kenya) on electoral security; and Ms. Juliana Kiio of DTF (Kenya) on campaign financing. At the end of the dialogue, participants agreed that representation is a doorway, influence is the destination, and no woman should have to build a political career alone. They also agreed that Africa already has many of the experiences needed to inform the next generation of women’s leadership programs and committed to adapting these cross-border solutions to support candidates across the continent.
The inaugural webinar is part of the ENAF Expansion initiative, which seeks to extend the ENAF model of development and women-centric approaches to other countries on the continent, hence the South-to-South dialogue. By creating a regular space for practical exchange, ENAF aims to build a platform for sharing, learning, and unlearning, as well as to provide indigenous solutions to systemic leadership challenges as it expands its regional footprint.
Watch the full recording of the Inaugural Pan-African Dialogue on Women’s Leadership on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/9NM4x2tJY_k