Open Call for National Convenors
Organisation: African Union Commission – Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (AUC-WGYD)
Programme: 2nd Egumeni Dialogue
Theme: Building a Resilient Africa through Accelerated Women Financial and Economic Inclusion
Background
The African Union (AU) is committed to advancing women’s financial and economic inclusion as a cornerstone for achieving Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. This commitment is anchored in key continental frameworks and initiatives, including:
- The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).
- The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
- The AU Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE Strategy).
- The African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion (2020–2030), implemented through the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI 2030) Initiative.
Despite their significant contributions to Africa’s economies as entrepreneurs, farmers, traders, workers, innovators, and caregivers, millions of African women continue to face persistent barriers to economic opportunities. Limited access to finance, productive assets, markets, digital technologies, land, leadership opportunities, and social protection continues to constrain women’s economic potential. These challenges are particularly pronounced for young women, rural women, women with disabilities, refugee and displaced women, and those working in the informal economy.
Recognising that sustainable solutions must be informed by national realities and community experiences, the African Union Commission Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (AUC-WGYD) has dedicated the 2nd Egumeni Dialogue to identifying practical, policy, and investment solutions that can unlock women’s full participation in Africa’s economic transformation.
Inaugurated in 2025, the Egumeni Dialogue is a continental platform for advancing policy dialogue, partnerships, and collective action to address structural barriers affecting women and girls while underscoring the importance of amplifying grassroots voices in shaping continental, regional, and national policies.
As part of the activities for the 2nd Egumeni Dialogue, the AUC-WGYD invites women-led organisations and networks to convene National or Local Consultations under the continental theme:
“Building a Resilient Africa through Accelerated Women Financial and Economic Inclusion.”
The National or Local Consultations will provide a platform for women from diverse backgrounds to examine opportunities, barriers, and policy priorities for advancing women’s financial and economic inclusion in their respective countries. The outcomes and recommendations will directly inform the discussions, declarations, and policy outcomes of the 2nd Egumeni Dialogue.
Objectives of the Consultations
The National or Local Consultations will seek to:
- Generate evidence and practical insights on the current state of women’s financial and economic inclusion at the national level.
- Identify barriers limiting women’s access to finance, markets, productive resources, technology, decent work, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
- Document innovative policies, programmes, and community-driven solutions that have successfully expanded women’s economic participation.
- Facilitate dialogue among government, financial institutions, private sector actors, women’s organisations, and development partners on strategies for accelerating inclusive economic growth.
- Develop country-specific recommendations that will contribute to the outcomes and policy agenda of the 2nd Egumeni Dialogue.
Expected Outcomes
The National Dialogues are expected to produce:
- A national overview of opportunities, challenges, and emerging trends affecting women’s financial and economic inclusion.
- Documented good practices and scalable innovations that strengthen women’s economic resilience.
- Policy recommendations for governments, financial institutions, private sector actors, and development partners.
- Strengthened collaboration among national stakeholders working to advance women’s economic empowerment.
- A Consultation Report summarising key discussions, recommendations, and priority actions to inform the discussions and final report of the 2nd Egumeni Dialogue.
Call for National Convenors
The AUC-WGYD invites the following organisations to express interest in serving as National Convenors:
- Women-led organisations.
- Women’s networks.
- Civil society organisations.
- Business associations.
- Research institutions.
- Social enterprises.
- Other eligible organisations with demonstrated experience in convening multi-stakeholder dialogues.
Selected National Convenors will independently organise and coordinate national consultations in their respective countries while working closely with the AUC-WGYD to ensure alignment with the continental dialogue process.
Successful organisations will be officially recognised as National Consultation Leads and will be required to provide technical, logistical, and financial support towards convening the consultations.
The AUC-WGYD and its partners will sponsor the participation of one representative from each National Consultation to attend the continental Egumeni Dialogue.
Participants and Format
Consultations should bring together stakeholders from diverse sectors and communities, including:
- Women entrepreneurs and business owners (formal and informal sectors).
- Women farmers and cooperatives.
- Women’s rights and economic justice organisations.
- Young women entrepreneurs and innovators.
- Representatives of government ministries and public institutions.
- Financial institutions, banks, microfinance institutions, and fintech organisations.
- Chambers of commerce and private sector associations.
- Development partners and philanthropic organisations.
- Researchers, academics, and policy experts.
- Traditional, community, and faith leaders, where appropriate.
- Women with disabilities and organisations representing marginalised groups.
- Rural and urban women leaders.
Consultations may be conducted through:
- Physical meetings.
- Virtual meetings.
- Hybrid formats.
Submission Requirements
Interested organisations should submit a proposal of no more than two pages outlining:
- Organisational profile and relevant experience in convening national or multi-stakeholder dialogues.
- Proposed approach and methodology for organising the National Dialogue.
- Planned stakeholder engagement strategy demonstrating inclusivity and diversity.
- Strategies for ensuring participation of women from rural, urban, and marginalised communities.
- Proposed implementation timeline.
- Communication and visibility plan, including the use of traditional and digital media.
- Brief budget indicating available resources and any support requested.
Selection Criteria
Priority will be given to organisations that demonstrate:
- A strong track record in women’s leadership, economic empowerment, or financial inclusion.
- Experience facilitating inclusive national or local consultations or policy dialogues.
- Capacity to mobilise diverse stakeholders across sectors.
- Strong partnerships and national networks.
- Commitment to evidence-based policy engagement.
- Ability to independently organise and deliver high-quality consultations within agreed timelines.
- Geographic, linguistic, and regional diversity across Africa.
Responsibilities of Selected National Convenors
Selected organisations will be expected to:
- Plan and convene one consultation within the agreed implementation period.
- Engage a broad and representative group of stakeholders.
- Facilitate inclusive and participatory discussions aligned with the continental theme.
- Share consultation outcomes through appropriate communication channels.
- Nominate one representative to participate in the continental Egumeni Dialogue.
Timeline
- Launch of Call: 28 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 14 August 2026
- Notification of Selected National Convenors: 18 August 2026
- National Dialogue Period: August – September 2026
- Submission of National Reports: 30 September 2026
- 2nd Egumeni Dialogue: 19–21 October 2026
Application Requirements
Applications should include:
- Proposal (maximum two pages).
- Organisational profile.
- Certificate of registration (where applicable).
- Contact details of the lead focal person.
How to Apply
Submit your application electronically with the subject line:
Application – National Convenor – [Country Name]
Submission Address
Email: [email protected]
Enquiries
Email: [email protected]
Only shortlisted organisations will be contacted.
Encouraged Applicants
The African Union strongly encourages applications from:
- Women-led organisations and networks.
- Young women-led organisations.
- Rural and grassroots movements.
- Organisations representing women with disabilities.
- Refugee and migrant women-led initiatives.