African First Ladies Gather in New York as OAFLAD Opens the Countdown to Its Silver Jubilee
More than 200 leaders and partners registered for the Organization’s annual high-level convening on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly
ADDIS ABABA, 16 September 2026 — Eleven African First Ladies and the First Gentleman of Namibia will gather in New York on Tuesday 22 September 2026 for the annual high-level side event of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), held on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly under the theme “OAFLAD: A Legacy of Leadership — Delivering for Women and Girls.”
Now a fixture of the UNGA high-level week, OAFLAD’s annual convening is where Africa’s First Ladies and their partners take stock of results, renew commitments and align on the priorities that matter most for women, girls and young people across the continent. This year’s edition carries particular weight. Held one year ahead of the Organization’s 25th anniversary in 2027, it will reflect on a quarter century of collective leadership and chart the course for OAFLAD’s next chapter.
The following Heads of Delegation have confirmed their participation:
- H.E. Dr Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD
- H.E. Mrs Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of the Republic of Angola and Vice-President of OAFLAD
- H.E. Mrs Kaone Boko, First Lady of the Republic of Botswana
- H.E. Mrs Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi
- H.E. Mrs Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
- H.E. Mrs Lordina Mahama, First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
- H.E. Mrs Rachel Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
- H.E. Mrs Gueta Selemane Chapo, First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
- H.E. Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, First Gentleman of the Republic of Namibia
- H.E. Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- H.E. Mrs Marie Khone Faye, First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
- The Office of H.E. Mrs Mariam Mwinyi, First Lady of Zanzibar, will be represented.
The programme opens with remarks by H.E. Dr Fatima Maada Bio, President of OAFLAD, a keynote address by H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and remarks by Professor Senait Fisseha, Vice President, Global Programs, at The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.
A Legacy in Conversation will then examine the impact of high-level advocacy in Africa with H.E. Monica Geingos, former First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and Founder and Executive Chairperson of the One Economy Foundation; H.E. Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security; H.E. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations; and Ms Sonia Ndimbira, former Executive Secretary of OAFLAD.
In Passing the Baton, serving First Ladies and the First Gentleman will share their messages for the next 25 years. Dr Jenelle Krishnamoorthy, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Policy and Public Affairs at Merck, will then take the floor, before H.E. Mrs Ana Dias Lourenço, Vice-President of OAFLAD, closes the event.
The event is now fully booked, with more than 200 registered participants, including senior representatives of the United Nations and the African Union, development partners, international financial institutions, philanthropic foundations, civil society, private sector leaders and the diplomatic corps. A livestreaming link will be available upon request, and the conversation can be followed online at #OAFLADatUNGA81.
Attendance is by invitation only and registration is now closed. A livestreaming link is available upon request. Media outlets wishing to cover it may contact the Secretariat at the address below to request text and photographs, which will be shared after the event.
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About OAFLAD
Established in 2002, OAFLAD is the first and largest network of African First Ladies. It mobilizes the leadership of Africa’s First Ladies to advance health, education, economic empowerment and the elimination of gender-based violence, and is a trusted partner to governments, the African Union and the United Nations.
Media contact: Sharufa Amisi, Communications Lead ·
[email protected]
