Harare is set to host the Women’s Lift Me Up Conference on March 12, bringing together business leaders, innovators and development practitioners for a high-level conversation on women’s empowerment, resilience and leadership.
The event, organised by Alpha Media Holdings HStv platform, will take place at The Venue in Harare and will run under the theme “Give to Gain – Empowering the Future-Proof Woman.”
Heart and Soul general manager, Olga Muteiwa said preparations for the conference are complete, and organisers are confident the event will deliver meaningful dialogue and practical insights for women across sectors.
The conference will feature a diverse line-up of speakers drawn from business, technology, finance, development and the creative industries. Discussions will centre on strategies for building resilient enterprises, strengthening leadership capacity and preparing women to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Among the newly confirmed speakers is Barbra Tulu Clemens, Country Director and Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Zimbabwe, who will present a talk titled “Scaling Production: From Home Initiatives to Income-Generating Projects.” Her presentation will explore pathways for transforming small-scale initiatives into sustainable livelihoods.
The programme will also feature technology entrepreneur and AI innovation leader Esther Mandina, who will address “The AI Skills Gap: Ensuring Women Lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Mandina said the gap in women’s participation in artificial intelligence largely stems from three challenges: awareness, pathways and representation.
“When we talk about the AI skills gap for women globally, particularly in emerging economies, I believe the challenge comes down to three key gaps. The first is the awareness gap. Many people still believe AI is only for programmers or engineers. Yet the AI economy requires far more than coding,” she said.
Mandina added that clearer learning pathways and stronger collaboration between academia and industry are essential in helping women move from curiosity to meaningful careers in technology. She also highlighted the need to increase women’s presence in spaces where technologies are designed, funded and governed.
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“Closing the AI skills gap will require more than education; it requires opening doors, building supportive ecosystems and ensuring diverse voices help shape the technologies driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
Business leader Ashleigh Nyambirai of TN Livestock Trust will speak on “Business Resilience and Creating Pathways for the Next Generation.” Nyambirai said climate variability remains one of the major challenges in Zimbabwe’s livestock sector, particularly recurring droughts that affect grazing, water availability and herd health.
“For cattle to be successfully converted into a bankable asset class, cost mitigation is paramount,” she said, noting that feed is one of the most significant costs in livestock farming.
Nyambirai said her organisation has responded by implementing efficient feed mobilisation strategies, feed planning systems and improved herd management practices designed to maintain productivity and sustainability during dry seasons.
Additional speakers include Gloria Ndoro-Mkombachoto (NetOne), Dr Ethel Mupambwa (MoneyMart Finance Group), Janet Manyowa, Patience Munetsi-Patongamwoyo, Odellia Matangi-Mangwengwende (African Transmission Corporation), Karen Nyenga (Fine & Country Zimbabwe), Dorien Beurskens (Young Africa International) and Dr Moreangels Mabhiza.
The speakers will address topics ranging from digital transformation and property investment to energy, entrepreneurship, mentorship and environmental sustainability.
The month of March, recognised globally as Women’s Month, provides an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic and political contributions of women worldwide. It also highlights persistent gender gaps in leadership, access to resources and economic participation.
The Lift Me Up Conference aligns with the global call to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment. Its theme, “Give to Gain – Empowering the Future-Proof Woman,” echoes international development priorities that encourage investment in women as drivers of inclusive growth.
By focusing on resilience, innovation and mentorship, the forum aims to contribute to ongoing gender-responsive development efforts.
Organisers say the conference is designed as a platform for learning, networking and inspiration, particularly for entrepreneurs, professionals and emerging leaders. With conversations spanning technology, agriculture, finance and social development, the event seeks to equip women with practical strategies for navigating change and building sustainable futures.
Women from across industries are encouraged to attend and take part in what organisers describe as a collaborative space to share ideas, forge partnerships and celebrate the power of women shaping tomorrow’s economy.
