Celebrating Women Trailblazers 2025: Nalafem Collective

Mar 242 min read

This International Women’s History Month, Africa Matters is amplifying the voices of African women leaders and organisations driving transformative change across the continent, ensuring that their contributions are seen, heard, and honoured. Today, we celebrate the Nala Feminist Collective (Nalafem), a Pan-African, multigenerational movement committed to advancing the rights and leadership of African women.

In a world where gender equality remains a battle, Nalafem stands as a platform of resistance, resilience, and revolution. Founded in 2020, this collective of women politicians, activists, and thought leaders has become a driving force for change, ensuring African women and girls are not only seen but heard—at every table where decisions are made.

Nalafem is not just an organisation; it is a movement that fosters intergenerational leadership, enabling young feminists to take charge of their futures while mobilising resources and political will for real change. From amplifying women’s voices in governance to equipping young activists with the skills to drive impact, Nalafem’s commitment to the Beijing +25 Manifesto is unwavering. Their mission is clear: foster intergenerational co-leadership, enable young feminists’ collective engagement and free agency, and mobilise resources, political support, and accountability to turn feminist ideals into reality.

Nalafem: A Force for Feminist Leadership

Through advocacy, capacity-building, and strategic mobilisation, Nalafem ensures that women’s voices are amplified and their leadership solidified. Some of their most impactful initiatives include:

The Nalafem Summit: Each year, the Nalafem Summit gathers influential women leaders, policymakers, and activists to tackle challenges like online harassment, gender-based violence, and political exclusion. The 2024 summit in Windhoek, Namibia, focused on advancing gender parity in governance and economic empowerment.
10,000 Voices for Change: The Nala Beijing +25 Manifesto Campaign reached over 10,360 signatures from 105+ countries, reflecting global support for feminist leadership and accountability.
Multi-Generational Dialogues for Accountability (MGD4A): Nalafem’s dialogues foster trust between institutions and young feminists, pushing for 35% policy representation for young women in leadership. Over 180 dialogues have been held with key figures like Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and Hon. Justice Martha Koome.
"Take The Lead" Program: In partnership with eCornell and Mexoxo, Nalafem offers free leadership and career development courses to 20,000 young women in Nigeria and Kenya, equipping them with Ivy League-certified skills.

More Than a Movement—A Legacy in the Making

Nalafem’s impact extends beyond campaigns and conferences. It is about the liberation of African women and girls, the rewriting of narratives, and the creation of a world where feminist leadership is not an exception but the norm. Recognising Nalafem as an Africa Matters Trailblazer is a celebration of their boldness, resilience, and revolutionary impact.