Which African Country Should We Visit in 2026?
The Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER series is returning this year, taking place across three provinces in South Africa and expanding to an additional African country. These one-day conferences are designed to connect, inspire, and equip women entrepreneurs with the skills, strategies, and networks to grow thriving businesses that contribute to Africa’s economic development.
Attendees can look forward to keynote talks from Top Women award-winners and successful entrepreneurs, an interactive networking session, and the Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Pitching Den.
Through a competitive application process, the top 10 entrepreneurs in each province will present their business ideas in a 3-minute elevator pitch, followed by a 5-minute Q&A where judges provide actionable feedback to help participants scale their businesses and succeed in the market.
At the close of each conference, a provincial winner will be crowned, and the three winners will advance to the annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards on 2 December 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, where the overall winner will take home the trophy and a R100 000 cash prize.
We can’t wait to bring the EmpowHER experience to your region! Which one should we visit this year?