HERizon Africa, described as a pan-African community connecting visionary women across the continent and its diaspora, seeks to lead change, close the gender gap and inspire sustainable partnerships. 

A press release issued by Miss Gifty Boatemaa Annan, Founder of WestlionCo and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said HERizon Africa represented the fulfilment of a long-held dream. “At a time when gender parity remains at a critical tipping point, HERizon Africa emerges with a clear mission to champion women-led possibilities, drive data-informed equity and help build an Africa in which equality is an intangible reality,” it said. 

Citing the 2025 World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report, the release noted that the world remained 123 years away from achieving full gender parity if current trends persisted, a statistic it described as sobering. The movement was designed to help steer the continental agenda for gender equality, the release said. “HERizon Africa is a long-held dream unfolding in meaningful steps,” it said. “It is an intentional space where our collective intelligence becomes our collective propulsion, where a woman in Accra can co-create with a founder in Nairobi, an innovator in Kampala can learn from a strategist in the diaspora, and a student in Dakar can be mentored by an executive in Johannesburg.” 

The launch, it said, served as an urgent call for renewed mobilisation across Africa and a reminder that gender progress must be intentional, well-resourced and boldly pursued. The virtual event brought together women leaders across Africa and the diaspora, featuring keynote remarks from members of the Global Advisory Council: Dr Kalkidan Esayas, Ecologist and Conservation Biologist; Ohenewa Sakyi-Bekoe, Development Consultant; and Arielle Molino, Impact Investing Specialist. The movement also unveiled its first Chapter Leads for the Diaspora and Uganda, Jessica Q. and Denise Kyozira, who will spearhead its expansion and community-building efforts. 

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Esayas said the struggle for women’s advancement was universal but Africa brought a unique contribution to the conversation. “Our continent brings resilience, community-rooted leadership and innovation born from constraints. We do not lead with dominance; we lead with collaboration, compassion and courage.” “Women’s leadership is not an alternative model; it is the future of leadership.” 

Ohenewa Sakyi-Bekoe said talent and dreams had no gender boundaries. “We will continue to amplify women’s voices, support initiatives that power the next generation of female leaders, encourage creativity and make room for bold ideas that drive progress,” she was quoted as saying. 
The launch was a clarion call to women, men, youth, policymakers and partners to rise together towards a future where African women had equitable access to opportunities, influence and prosperity, she said. “A future in which systems work for women, not against them.”