LAGOS, NIGERIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 16, 2016) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Almas Jiwani will join Africa's top women entrepreneurs, leaders in innovation, and top economic transformers from diverse sectors at the 2^nd Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) from September 29 to 30, 2016 at The Civic Centre, in Lagos, Nigeria.

"Women play a key role in building the capacity of nations as entrepreneurs, innovators, and political leaders" said Almas Jiwani. "Women in Africa have the opportunity to contribute their ideas and good practices, find measures to improve access to finance, and celebrate the accomplishments of entrepreneurs and professionals in Africa's economy, as part of this Forum."

AWIEF creates a networking opportunity with potential business partnerships, knowledge and skills-sharing, dialogue and peer-learning across African borders. It provides an opportunity to explore approaches, share perspectives and best practices in building bridges and creating linkages. An important outcome of the Conference will be to promote intra-Africa and inter-continental trade and collaborations and link the informal rural productive sectors with formal business environments. AWIEF will shift the bar higher, taking the African woman to new heights in becoming more economically influential and impactful.

"We chose Almas Jiwani as the keynote speaker for AWIEF because, as Emeritus President of UN Women Canada National Committee and CEO of Almas Jiwani Foundation, she is known globally for the work she has done in promoting women empowerment, her integrity and passion for the cause is changing country policies," said Mellisa Jakachira, Press, Media and Association Partnerships. "Ms. Jiwani is the embodiment of an empowered woman. Her vast knowledge and experience will teach and inspire women to reach for the sky and beyond. We are confident to have Ms. Almas Jiwani as Keynote speaker, as her voice at this forum will resonate with the aspirations of all women and makes achieving our goals more certain and ensures a better world for all.

ABOUT THE ALMAS JIWANI FOUNDATION

Empowering women and girls through focused projects that directly address gender equality, education, entrepreneurship, entertainment and energy rights. Through empowering women and girls in targeted areas, AJF hopes to improve societal and economic conditions in the developing world. Projects include providing sustainable energy to provide a better education, better living conditions and to create the environment where women can thrive as entrepreneurs in any region.

ABOUT THE AFRICA WOMEN INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM (AWIEF)

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is a premier, pan-African conference and exhibition event that brings together an exclusive group of thought leaders, women entrepreneurs and women in business, investors, MSMEs, international development organizations, NGOs, CSOs, trade missions, foundations, governments and policy makers, the private sector and media. It provides a platform that will showcase deliberations around the role that African women play in shaping the continent's economic future, the challenges and constraints they face, and to proffer solutions.

To view the photo/video associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160816-AJ_lrg.jpg