ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Healthy African Girl (THAG) Foundation has concluded the 2025 edition of its annual Rise Up Virtual Global Conference, gathering over 1,925 young African women and girls across 23 countries to champion female leadership, agency, and community impact.

Held via Zoom under the theme “Becoming a Voice of Influence,” the two-day summit tackled Africa’s leadership gender gap by equipping young women with the tools needed to lead without waiting for formal titles. Grounded in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), the conference focused on personal branding, digital leverage, and purpose-driven advocacy.

The event featured an exceptional lineup of trailblazing African women leaders, including:

• Dr. Adanna Steinacker, SSA to the President on Women’s Health

• Elizabeth Wathuti, Award-winning Kenyan environmentalist

• Pauline Faith Gartor, Founder of Girls Health Alliance (Liberia)

• Amanda Nomnqa, Founder of She is Brave (South Africa)

• Dr. Chinekwu Oreh, Convener and Founder of THAG Foundation

Key speakers shared actionable insights on transforming challenges into societal impact. Dr. Steinacker urged participants to “turn discomfort into growth when rooted in purpose,” while Elizabeth Wathuti challenged young leaders to visibly champion their work to inspire upcoming generations.

Beyond keynote sessions, the conference unveiled two major post-event empowerment initiatives:

• Akpajima Magazine (Rise Up Edition): A creative platform amplifying young African women’s voices on leadership, identity, and social reform.

• The Rise Up Mentorship Collective: A structured three-month accelerator providing targeted mentorship, network-building, and personal branding support for emerging leaders.

“This was not just an event; it is an ongoing movement,” stated Dr. Chinekwu Oreh. “Our mission is to ensure every African girl possesses the confidence, knowledge, and community to rise and create lasting change.”