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Part of the conclusions of the Ninth Annual International conference of the Africa Leadership Forum, which convened in Accra Ghana in January 1997 with the theme “Empowering women for the 21^st Century: The challenge of Politics, business, development and leadership”, included a core recommendation for the formation of the Africa Women Forum.  

Sixty-two participants attended that meeting from more than 26 countries comprising women leaders from governments, parliaments, NGOs, academia, the private sector regional and international organizations.  

Primarily, the Africa Women Forum strives to promote the collective interest and leadership of women in Africa through research, training and advocacy and the strengthening of the abilities and capabilities of African Women Networks. The AWF also seeks to greater collaboration and partnership between Africa’s women networks and with governments, intergovernmental agencies and other International civil society organizations for the improvement of the status of women in Africa. 

The First edition of the Africa Women Forum held in May 1998 at Cape Town, South Africa with the theme “Communication and Leadership for Empowerment” (See Report) 

The Second convened in Abidjan, Cote Ivore, in August 1999 with theme “Improving the the status of women in Africa: Challenges for the future” its primary focus was on the index of the status of women in Africa. (See report) 

The third meeting held in North Africa, Tunis in January 2001. The theme of the Conference was “Women and Conflict Management in Africa”. Vice President of Uganda, H.E. Dr. Specioza Kazibwe Chaired the proceedings of the Conference while the Dr. Angela King, the United Assistant Secretary General, delivered the Keynote Address. Significantly, this meeting laid the framework for the development of the National Women’s Peace Congress (NAWOPEG) (see report) 

With the evolution of the old Organization of African Union (OAU) to the present African Union (AU) and the standing commitment of African leaders to the adoption and implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD. The fourth conference of the African Women Forum, “African Women and NEPAD” largely examined the issues as they relate to women in Africa and the implications there from. The conference, the first in ALFs indigenous origin, Ota Nigeria held in February 2002.