Mission and Vision

• ABWN Vision Statement: The leading African business women’s network accelerating economic growth for women to improve the quality of life on the continent
• ABWN Mission Statement: By 2012, the African Business women’s Network is the Organization of Choice for African women in business

Africa Businesswomen’s Network Partners

ABWN is a partnership between Vital Voices, the 6 member associations (or “Hubs”) and ExxonMobil

• Initiated in January 2009; Launched in June 2009 at WEF-Africa
• Funded by ExxonMobil’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative
• Vital Voices is the implementing partner and lead grantee of ExxonMobil

Through ABWN, Vital Voices aims to enable African women to achieve business and personal growth in order
to improve the quality of life in Africa.

Africa Businesswomen’s Network Partners

• 6 Member Associations (?Hubs?)
• Think Tank (Board members from each Hub) co-develop the vision of the ABWN
• Hub Managers at each hub facilitate programs and services to businesswomen, contributing to Network growth and sustainability
• CETs (Continental Expert Team)—technical assistance partners to assist with Hub and Network organizational development and leadership coaching

Vital Voices Global Partnership

• Activities began in 1997 asVital Voices: Women in Democracyregional summits
• Founded in 2000 as an NGO
• Areas of focus:
  1. political participation
  2. human rights
  3. economic empowerment
  4. mentoring
  5. leadership development

Vital Voices’ Africa Programs

• Africa programs launched in January 2007 Africa Women’s Leadership Summit for Women and Girls
• Current initiatives:
  1. ABWN
  2. Entrepreneurs in Handcrafts
  3. Fortune Global Women’s Mentoring Program
  4. Global Campaign to End Violence Against Women
  5. Cameroon Institute for the Investigation & Prosecution of Human Trafficking
  6. Women’s Leadership in Public Life
  7. African Women Mediators Program

Vital Voices’ Network in Africa

• Approximately 600 program alumni in 31 countries
• Over 50 Follow-on programs implemented by alumni
• Extended reach to over 27000 indirect participants through follow-on activities and local networks
• Alumni collaborations and networking across thematic areas is encouraged
• Africa Advisory Council convenes every 3 years
• VV Chapter exploratory committees in several countries