Summary
The summit served as a high-level platform dedicated to advancing women’s leadership, strengthening economic participation, and fostering cross-industry innovation.
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Johari Rotana Hotel was the vibrant host for the Accelerate Women Executive Summit 2026, which convened a dynamic assembly of women leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and professionals.
Under the resonant theme “Power and Purpose,” the summit served as a high-level platform dedicated to advancing women’s leadership, strengthening economic participation, and fostering cross-industry innovation.
Organized by Accelerate Foundation, the event blended insightful discussions, practical learning sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities, all designed to equip and support women in business and leadership roles.
Emphasis on Standards and Formalization
A keynote perspective was provided by Dr. Ashura Katunzi, Director General of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), representing the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
She underscored the critical role of business formalization, quality standards, and compliance.
Dr. Katunzi emphasized that adhering to standards is fundamental for building trust, scaling operations, and successfully accessing both local and international markets.
Harnessing Technology and AI
Technology took center stage with an interactive Artificial Intelligence master class led by Michael Genuh, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Hustle Sasa.
The session delved into AI’s transformative impact on modern business, showcasing practical tools entrepreneurs can leverage to boost productivity, marketing, and strategic decision-making.
The digital transformation dialogue was further enriched by Emanuel Mwanyiku, Chief Information Officer of Absa Bank Tanzania.
He encouraged women to embrace technology and continuously develop their digital skills, extending an invitation for participants to access specialized AI training programs to bolster technological readiness.
Pathways to Financial Growth
Investment and financial empowerment were addressed by Mr. Davis Kiondo of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.
He advocated for women’s active participation in capital markets as a strategic pathway to long-term wealth creation and financial security.
Building Influence and Leadership
Fatema Dewji, Marketing Director of METL, led an engaging session on personal branding, offering practical guidance on developing authentic and influential personal brands that enhance credibility and unlock new business opportunities.
A summit highlight was the CEO Power Panel, featuring:
* Tabia Massudi, CEO of Assemble Insurance Tanzania
* Prudence Masako, Country Director of CARE International Tanzania
-* Sharmila Bhatt, Founder and Director of Softech Consultants Limited
The panelists shared compelling leadership journeys, highlighting the pillars of resilience, discipline, and purpose-driven leadership.
A Call to Action
In her opening remarks, Bernice Fernandes, Founder of Accelerate Women, set a powerful tone for the event. She challenged attendees to deeply reflect on their identity, potential, and purpose, urging them to step boldly into leadership roles and maximize their impact.
Supported by Strong Partnerships
The summit was made possible through the support of a diverse group of partners and sponsors, including CRDB Bank, Absa Bank, Selcom Pesa, UTT AMIS, Korean Cosmetics, Premier Care, Upstore, Assemble Insurance, CP Studios, InFocus Studios, Hugo Domingo, Revolution Events, JB Studios, ATN, Niya Beauty, Urban by CityBlue, and Precision Air.
The Accelerate Women Executive Summit continues to solidify its role as an essential platform, driving women’s empowerment, fostering collaboration, and catalyzing both economic and social progress.
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