Applications are now open for the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) 8th Intergenerational Retreat (IGR 2026), a fully sponsored leadership programme that will bring together 40 outstanding young African women leaders from across Africa and the Diaspora.
The retreat, supported by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), will take place in Libreville, Gabon, in December 2026. It is designed to foster mentorship, dialogue, leadership development, and cross-generational collaboration while advancing the goals of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
If you are a young African woman committed to creating positive change in your community and beyond, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with influential leaders across the continent.
About the AWLN 8th Intergenerational Retreat
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Intergenerational Retreat is one of the continent’s premier leadership gatherings, bringing together emerging and established African women leaders to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and build lasting solutions for Africa’s development.
For the 2026 edition, 40 young women leaders will receive full sponsorship to participate in this high-impact programme in Gabon.
The retreat focuses on mentorship, policy dialogue, leadership development, networking, and collaborative action that contributes to sustainable development across Africa.
Programme Benefits
Successful participants will receive:
- Full sponsorship covering travel, accommodation, and registration.
- Opportunity to participate in the AWLN 8th Intergenerational Retreat in Libreville, Gabon.
- Mentorship from Heads of State, Vice Presidents, CEOs, and distinguished African leaders.
- Access to a powerful pan-African network of women leaders.
- Leadership development and personal growth opportunities.
- Participation in cross-generational dialogue and knowledge exchange.
- Eligibility for the AWLN Leadership Award.
- Opportunity to become part of the growing AWLN community committed to Africa’s development.
Why You Should Apply
The retreat is much more than a conference. It serves as a platform for:
- Mentorship.
- Cross-generational dialogue.
- Leadership development.
- Knowledge sharing.
- Collaboration among African women leaders.
- Driving real impact across Africa.
- Supporting the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Focus Areas (AWLN Pillars)
The retreat will explore six major leadership pillars:
- Peace and Security.
- Governance and Political Participation.
- Financial Inclusion, Economic Development and Natural Resources.
- Agriculture, Rural Economy and Land.
- Social Mobilisation.
- Youth and Emerging Leaders.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a young African woman leader.
- Be between 18 and 45 years of age.
- Be from Africa or the African Diaspora.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to driving positive change within their communities.
Expectations from Participants
Selected participants are expected to:
Explore more opportunities like this
- Actively participate throughout the retreat.
- Engage in knowledge sharing and collaboration.
- Continue contributing as AWLN ambassadors after the retreat.
- Build partnerships that promote sustainable development across Africa.
Programme Location
- Venue: Libreville, Gabon.
- Programme Date: December 2026.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit applications is:
3 August 2026
Only complete applications will be reviewed.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the official online application before the deadline and ensure that all requested information is accurately provided. Only complete applications submitted on time will be considered for selection.
Conclusion
The AWLN 8th Intergenerational Retreat 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for young African women leaders to learn directly from influential decision-makers while building lifelong networks across the continent and the Diaspora.
With full sponsorship covering travel, accommodation, and registration, mentorship from high-level leaders, leadership training, and opportunities for continued engagement as AWLN ambassadors, the programme is ideal for women committed to shaping Africa’s future. If you meet the eligibility requirements, submit your application before 3 August 2026 and become part of the next generation of transformative African women leaders.
