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Women in Project Management Summit 2026
Featured Event

Women in Project Management Summit 2026

Lead. Inspire. Influence. - A Pan-African Summit for the Most Influential Female Leaders Across the Continent.

Fri 28 - Sat 29 Aug 2026
Day 1: 09:00 - 21:00 | Day 2: 09:00 - 12:00
Courtyard Hotel Waterfall, Midrand, Johannesburg
Our Sponsors

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Creme of Nature

African Extracts

LMC Tea

Carmien Tea

L'Occitane en Provence

PeopleCert

Delegates from these companies will be attending or have attended our events

FNB
ABSA
Capitec
Nedbank
CVC Capital
Alexander Forbes
PRASA
SITA SOC
BCX
Hyphen
OPmobility
Momentum Insure
University of Johannesburg
University of Free State
University of Wits
Sasol
SAICA
City Power
Mint Group
Adapt IT
Capcircle
Telcovas Solutions
FNB
ABSA
Capitec
Nedbank
CVC Capital
Alexander Forbes
PRASA
SITA SOC
BCX
Hyphen
OPmobility
Momentum Insure
University of Johannesburg
University of Free State
University of Wits
Sasol
SAICA
City Power
Mint Group
Adapt IT
Capcircle
Telcovas Solutions
Telcovas Solutions
Capcircle
Adapt IT
Mint Group
City Power
SAICA
Sasol
University of Wits
University of Free State
University of Johannesburg
Momentum Insure
Hyphen
BCX
SITA SOC
PRASA
Alexander Forbes
CVC Capital
Nedbank
Capitec
ABSA
FNB
OPmobility
Telcovas Solutions
Capcircle
Adapt IT
Mint Group
City Power
SAICA
Sasol
University of Wits
University of Free State
University of Johannesburg
Momentum Insure
Hyphen
BCX
SITA SOC
PRASA
Alexander Forbes
CVC Capital
Nedbank
Capitec
ABSA
FNB
OPmobility

About The Summit

Following the incredible impact of our inaugural event last year, Project Managers Africa is proud to host the 2026 edition of our flagship summit. This year, we are transcending borders and industries to bring together the most influential female leaders from across the African continent.

Whether you are leading digital transformations in Lagos, Nigeria, or telco projects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or infrastructure projects in Nairobi, Kenya, or policy shifts in Pretoria, South Africa, this is your platform to Lead, Inspire, and Influence.

A Cross-Industry Powerhouse

We are extending a special invitation to female trailblazers and executives from:

Infrastructure & Industry

Engineering, Mining, Telecommunications, and IT

Finance & Innovation

Fintech, Banking, and Healthcare

Public Sector & Diplomacy

Government Departments, Municipalities, Embassies, and Consulates

Creativity & Impact

Media, Entertainment, Beauty Industry, Non-Profit (NGO) sectors, and Women Empowerment Organisations

The Two-Day Experience

Day 1
Friday, 28 August 2026

Women in Project Management Summit 2026 - Full-Day Programme (09:00 - 16:05)

08:30 - 09:00

Registration & Networking

Arrival, check-in, welcome refreshments and informal networking.

09:00 - 09:05

Opening Note

Speaker: Event Host / MC

09:05 - 09:10

Welcome Address

Speaker: Emmanuels Magaya

09:10 - 09:30

Keynote: Leading Digital Transformation When Budgets, Skills, and Buy-In Are Limited

Speaker: Tanya de Villiers

09:30 - 10:00

Panel: Will AI Replace the Project Manager or Reinvent the Role?

Moderator: Aamena Abed

Panelists: Sandisiwe Meso, Lucy Paddy, Natasha

10:00 - 10:15

☕ Morning Tea Break

10:15 - 10:50

Keynote: Building a Career That Survives Industry Disruption

Speaker: Elise McGabe

10:55 - 11:30

Panel: Delivering Infrastructure Projects Under Pressure

Moderator: Aamena Abed

Panelists: Lynette Berrington, Boitumelo Letsoko, Sabi Manamela

11:30 - 12:00

Case Study: What Actually Happened — A Project That Nearly Failed

Speaker: Darpana Vallabh

12:00 - 12:25

Fireside Chat: Speaking Up, Being Heard, and Influencing Senior Stakeholders

Moderator: Mmule Sapula

Panelists: Pauline Sehlabela

12:25 - 12:45

AI Keynote: The Agentic PM — Leveraging AI Workflows & Automation in Project Execution

Speaker: Emmanuels Magaya

12:50 - 13:35

🍽️ Lunch Break

13:35 - 14:05

Image Consultant Session: Executive Presence — How You Show Up Matters

Speaker: Martie Truter

14:05 - 14:35

Ask A Man: What Men Really Think About Women in Leadership

Moderator: Nozizwe Moloko

Panelists: Emmanuels Magaya, Jabu Shabala, Godfrey Maphanga

14:35 - 15:10

Panel: When PMOs Become Bottlenecks Instead of Enablers

Panelists: Darpana Vallabh, Charlotte Shabally, Tandi Rouse, Nozizwe Moloko

15:10 - 15:25

☕ Afternoon Tea Break

15:25 - 15:50

Panel: Switching Lanes — Moving Between Industries as a Project Manager

Panelists: Darshini, Malebo Lekoape

15:50 - 16:05

🏆 Closing Remarks

The Awards Gala Dinner

A prestigious evening celebrating the women redefining excellence in project delivery across Africa. Join us for an elegant evening of celebration honouring outstanding achievements of women in the project management community.

Award Categories

Project Leader of the Year

Exceptional leadership in project delivery

Transformational PMO Leader

Successfully established or revolutionised a PMO

Rising Star

Emerging leaders (under 35 or <5 years in PM) with immense potential

Innovative Project Leader

A leader that has led innovative initiatives — be it in IT, Construction, Engineering, e.g. successfully integrated AI, Cloud, or Digital Transformation

Mentor of the Year

Gone above and beyond to support and empower other women

Thought Leader of the Year

Recognises an industry expert, thought leader, Author/Writer of the year

Female-led PMO of The Year

Outstanding PMO led by a female project leader delivering excellence

Day 2
Saturday, 29 August 2026

Strategic Collaboration Roundtable Discussions & Workshops (09:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

Work through real challenges with peers to develop actionable strategies.

Session 1

Redesigning PMOs for Value Creation

Moving past governance bottlenecks to become strategic business enablers. How to position the PMO as a core value driver rather than a cost centre.

Session 2

The Politics of Project Leadership

Managing "up" effectively. How to navigate corporate politics, align with unsupportive C-suite executives, and secure long-term project buy-in.

Session 3

Mentorship Session: How to Speak to and Engage Correctly with Senior Executives

Practical mentorship on executive communication, presence, and engagement strategies for senior leadership interactions.

Session 4

Shaping Industry Trends: Collaborative Industry Resolution

A collaborative discussion where all attendees will contribute to a resolution that will be shared with the industry, giving insight on what is recommended for initiatives such as AI, Digital Transformation, and Cybersecurity.

Networking & Closing

Opportunity to forge partnerships and exchange contacts with Africa's top female leaders.

Event Registration

Date

Fri 28 - Sat 29 Aug 2026

Duration

Day 1: 09:00 - 21:00 (Summit & Gala)

Day 2: 09:00 - 12:00 (Roundtable)

Location

Courtyard Hotel Waterfall, Midrand, Johannesburg

Day 1: Summit & Awards Gala Dinner Only

28 August 2026

Standard Price + Awards Dinner

R4,950pp

Full Access Combo (Day 1 & Day 2)

28 - 29 August 2026: Summit, Gala Dinner & Female Project Leaders Roundtable

Full Access (Both Days)

R6,250pp

Day 1 ticket includes:

  • - Access to Conference Keynotes, Panels, Workshops
  • - Site Visit
  • - Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon High Tea
  • - Awards Gala Dinner
  • - Event Goodie Bag with conference materials

Full Access Combo adds:

  • - Day 2: Female Leaders Roundtable
  • - Executive Mentorship Circle
  • - Strategic Collaboration Workshop

Group Discounts Available

Corporate delegations and departments - Success is always better shared, bring your team!

Need an invoice or group booking? Email summit@projectmanagers.co.za

By registering, you agree to our Event Terms & Conditions

Highlights

2025 Summit Gallery

Relive the inspiring moments from our 2025 Women in Project Management Summit

Keynote Session

Keynote Session

Award Ceremony

Award Ceremony

Workshop Highlights

Workshop Highlights

Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion

Networking Session

Networking Session

Networking Session

Networking Session

Partnership & Sponsorship Opportunities

Is your organisation committed to gender parity and women's empowerment? We invite forward-thinking companies to partner with us as official sponsors. Showcase your brand to a Pan-African audience of decision-makers and support the advancement of female leadership.

#WIPM2026#ProjectManagersAfrica#WomenInLeadership#AfricaRising#WomenInTech#WomenInMining#WomenInFintech#WomenInEngineering#Empowerment

Event Inquiries

Have questions about the Women in PM Summit? Contact us.