eventsAfrican woman 2.0
Cotonou celebrated 5 years of African Woman 2.0 — a weekend of leadership, digital empowerment, and sisterhood created by Aïssata Sidibé N’Dia and hosted by Sophy Aiida.
Written by Sheek
From October 4–5, 2025, the city of Cotonou, Benin, became the beating heart of women’s empowerment in Africa as African Woman 2.0 marked its fifth anniversary.
Created by Aïssata Sidibé N’Dia, Founder & CEO of Afrique Femme, and hosted by Sophy Aiida, Founder & CEO of Sheek Network, the event brought together some of the continent’s most influential voices — policymakers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and changemakers — united by a shared purpose: to redefine what it means to be an African woman today.
Two days of brilliance, digital transformation, and elegant leadership came together under one truth — the African Woman 2.0 is here to stay.
A Vision Born from a Woman, Now a Movement
When Aïssata Sidibé N’Dia first imagined African Woman 2.0 in 2019, her dream was simple yet powerful — to create a safe, inspiring space where African women could learn, connect, and rise together.
Five years later, that dream has evolved into a continental movement — a platform that celebrates progress, nurtures ambition, and builds lasting sisterhood across Africa.
Supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Benin, this milestone edition reflected the pulse of modern Africa: connected, confident, and collaborative.
At the heart of the celebration, Sophy Aiida brought her signature touch — grace, professionalism, and charisma — infusing the weekend with the energy and elegance that define the Sheek Network ethos.
Digital as a Gateway to Economic Freedom
The 2025 theme, “Digital as a Lever for Women’s Economic Empowerment,” addressed one of Africa’s most critical frontiers: using technology as a path to independence.
Across two days of masterclasses, panels, and interactive workshops, experts and entrepreneurs shared insights on building strong brands, monetizing online businesses, and using digital tools for visibility and growth.
Among the standout voices:
Aïssata Sidibé N’Dia, on collaboration and the digital sisterhood.
Belle Jones, on personal branding and storytelling in the digital era.
Estelle Afatchao, on building influence with authenticity.
Marina Lidje Adande and Kady Aïssata Sow, offering lessons from their entrepreneurial journeys.
Azocha Nkobena, Managing Director at Accenture, on strategy and innovation.
The message was clear: knowledge is power, and digital fluency is the new currency of empowerment.
Entrepreneurship, Boldness & Innovation
A highlight of the weekend was the Entrepreneurship Pitch Contest, where six visionary women presented projects at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and technology.
Their ideas — spanning from sustainable fashion to digital innovation — reflected the resilience and imagination shaping Africa’s next economic wave.
Winners Bernadette Akouavi, Angélique Ahammada, and Grâce Ogoutchoro embodied one undeniable truth: innovation in Africa wears heels.
But beyond the prizes, the room was filled with something greater — solidarity. Smiles, standing ovations, and words of encouragement transformed competition into collaboration, reminding everyone that when one woman rises, we all rise.
Elegance as a Language of Power
African Woman 2.0 has never just been about business — it’s about identity.
This year’s fashion show brought together designers from Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, transforming the runway into a stage for cultural pride and creative excellence.
Every look — from bold prints to sculptural silhouettes — told a story of heritage and vision. The message was unmistakable: African elegance is leadership in motion.
At Sheek Network, we believe the same —
Elegance isn’t about appearance. It’s an attitude — the confidence to lead with grace and purpose.
Cotonou, the Beating Heart of Sisterhood
Inside the halls of the Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou, the air buzzed with connection and conversation.
Entrepreneurs, government officials, journalists, designers, and investors mingled effortlessly — exchanging ideas, business cards, and laughter. The energy was electric, the kind that turns networking into legacy.
As one guest beautifully said:
“It’s not just networking — it’s legacy building.”
In those moments, the meaning of African Woman 2.0 became crystal clear: sisterhood is the new economy.
A Brunch to Remember, A Movement to Continue
The weekend closed with the signature African Woman 2.0 Brunch — a gathering filled with warmth, storytelling, and celebration.
Over champagne toasts and laughter, women from every background reflected on courage, creativity, and connection. Many left with new mentors, business partners, or lifelong friends — all left with renewed conviction.
“When women come together, they don’t just raise their voices — they raise nations.”
Five Years of Impact — and a Future of Expansion
Five years of conversations, mentorship, and empowerment — yet this is only the beginning.
Under Aïssata Sidibé N’Dia’s leadership, African Woman 2.0 continues to expand across West Africa and the diaspora, staying true to its mission: to connect, inspire, and transform women through digital empowerment.
In Cotonou, this anniversary wasn’t just a celebration — it was a renewal of purpose. A declaration that the next chapter of Africa’s story will be written by women — bold, creative, tech-savvy, and unapologetically Sheek.
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SHEEK WORLDInside our sheek supper club
Step inside the first-ever Sheek Supper Club—a night of elegance, purpose, and powerful sisterhood that marked the beginning of a transformative movement.
Frédérique Leininger stands at the intersection — gracefully merging art, media, and cultural engagement into a living, breathing form of storytelling. As the editor of ELLE Côte d’Ivoire and founder of Les Murmures GANiques, she embodies what it means to create with intention, resilience, and soul.
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