African Leadership Magazine is delighted to announce that Dr Louisa Madiako Mojela, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (WIPHOLD), has been confirmed as a distinguished speaker and honouree at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026. The prestigious event will take place on 2–3 July 2026 at the iconic House of Lords, London, United Kingdom.
Dr Mojela’s participation at this landmark gathering reflects her extraordinary contributions to financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, enterprise development, and transformative leadership across Africa. Widely recognised as one of the continent’s most influential business pioneers, she has dedicated more than three decades to creating pathways for women to participate meaningfully in the mainstream economy, reshaping South Africa’s investment landscape and inspiring a generation of female entrepreneurs and business leaders.
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The African Business Leadership Awards remain one of Africa’s most respected platforms for celebrating exceptional individuals whose vision, innovation, and commitment continue to advance business excellence, economic development, and social impact across the continent. The 16th edition is expected to convene an influential network of policymakers, business leaders, investors, diplomats, development partners, and thought leaders from around the world.
Dr Mojela co-founded WIPHOLD in 1994 alongside Gloria Serobe, Wendy Luhabe, and Nomhle Canca, launching the enterprise with R500,000 pooled from the founders’ own savings and loans. What began as a bold vision to democratise wealth creation has since evolved into one of South Africa’s most prominent first-generation Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) companies, with a diverse investment portfolio spanning financial services, infrastructure, telecommunications, agriculture, and energy.
Central to her legacy is a pioneering model of grassroots economic inclusion. In the early years of WIPHOLD, Dr Mojela led nationwide roadshows to educate women about the stock market and investment opportunities, enabling thousands of first-time investors to purchase shares and build lasting wealth. Today, WIPHOLD impacts over 200,000 women beneficiaries, demonstrating the transformative power of accessible finance and inclusive enterprise.
Under her stewardship, WIPHOLD achieved a historic milestone by becoming one of the first women-led entities to successfully list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), a landmark moment that signalled the arrival of women-led enterprises in South Africa’s mainstream capital markets. As Executive Chairman, Dr Mojela continues to guide the group’s strategic direction, with a particular focus on rural development, agro-business, and ensuring that women remain active participants in shaping the continent’s economic future.
Born in Springs, South Africa, Dr Mojela holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the National University of Lesotho and has completed the Executive Leadership Program at the Wharton School of Business. In 2021, she received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her exceptional contributions to women’s empowerment and economic transformation.
As a featured speaker at ABLA 2026, Dr Mojela will share valuable insights on women’s economic leadership, strategies for advancing financial inclusion, the role of enterprise in driving sustainable development, and the importance of building inclusive investment ecosystems that unlock opportunities for underserved communities. Her presentation is expected to offer practical lessons drawn from decades of experience at the forefront of Africa’s economic transformation.
Speaking on her confirmation, the editorial board highlighted Dr Mojela’s remarkable achievements and enduring impact on Africa’s development agenda.
“Dr Louisa Madiako Mojela exemplifies the visionary leadership required to build a more inclusive and prosperous Africa. Through her pioneering work at WIPHOLD, she has demonstrated that economic empowerment, when pursued with purpose and integrity, can transform communities, uplift generations, and reshape entire industries. Her legacy of opening doors for women in finance and enterprise continues to inspire confidence among investors, policymakers, and development stakeholders across the continent. We are honoured to welcome her as both a distinguished speaker and honouree at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards,” the organisers stated.
The award recognises Dr Mojela’s enduring commitment to financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, enterprise development, and her transformative contributions to Africa’s business landscape.
The 16th African Business Leadership Awards will feature high-level panel discussions, investment dialogues, policy conversations, leadership showcases, and strategic networking engagements designed to foster partnerships and accelerate Africa’s development agenda.
Media Contact
King Richard Igimoh,
Group Editor,
African Leadership Magazine,
United Kingdom | Africa
Email: editor@africanleadership.co.uk
Website: www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk
