(DDM) – The Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, has emerged at the forefront of a continental movement for women’s empowerment, hosting the 2025 Women Allying Women Conference in Cape Coast, Ghana.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the highly anticipated gathering brought together African queens, policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and social advocates in a united push for women’s inclusion in politics, governance, and economic development.
Themed “Redefining Women’s Leadership for Africa’s Growth”, the conference was powered by Elevate Africa, an initiative founded by Olori Atuwatse III to promote education, entrepreneurship, and social transformation.
Keynote call for structural change
In her keynote address, Olori Atuwatse III urged African governments and traditional rulers to recognize women as indispensable actors in decision-making.
She emphasized that women already provide fiscal discipline, empathy, and strategic management within families and communities and must now be integrated into formal governance structures.
The Queen Consort specifically advocated constitutional reforms to grant queens, mothers, and female leaders seats in traditional councils, challenging cultural perceptions that exclude women from leadership.
“We are not guests in leadership; we are its custodians,” she declared to thunderous applause.
Prominent voices in attendance
Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, commended the conference as both a cultural milestone and an economic opportunity for Cape Coast.
She highlighted the potential of women-led initiatives in boosting tourism and investment across the continent.
The event also featured Queen Wa Arian Simone of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, and a network of female lawmakers, entrepreneurs, and traditional leaders who exchanged strategies on breaking systemic barriers.
Cultural and symbolic significance
Beyond its political message, the conference also carried symbolic weight. Cape Coast, once a hub of transatlantic slave trade, became a site of renewal where women gathered to envision a future rooted in equality, justice, and economic independence.
Delegates described the conference as a landmark step in Africa’s long journey toward balancing gender representation in leadership.
They emphasized that empowering women is not only a moral obligation but also an economic necessity in a continent striving for stability and growth.
Background: A royal advocate for change
Olori Atuwatse III, wife of the Olu of Warri, has become one of the most vocal advocates of women’s empowerment in West Africa.
Through her Elevate Africa foundation, she has spearheaded programs in education, entrepreneurship, and social welfare, while consistently advocating women’s involvement in policy decisions.
Her leadership style, combining royal tradition with modern advocacy, continues to inspire young women across Nigeria and beyond, making her a symbol of hope for gender inclusion.