Ten years of Femmes Spéciales Brazza
A decade after its modest launch, the gathering known as Femmes Spéciales Brazza is preparing to mark its tenth anniversary in the heart of Brazzaville, inside the Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza Memorial, from 5 to 8 November 2025.
- Ten years of Femmes Spéciales Brazza
- Four days, one vibrant programme
- Immersion and live streaming raise the bar
- Ambassador Noe Mavoungou’s symbolic presence
- A trophy night to remember
- From post-Covid resilience to lasting impact
- Upskilling women for the digital economy
- Economic and cultural boost for the capital
- What participants and organisers say
- Practical info for would-be attendees
Under the upbeat theme “Celebrate women’s efforts and innovation”, the jubilee edition wants to honour the projects, start-ups and artistic creations that have allowed Congolese women to shape their communities quietly yet decisively over the past ten years.
Four days, one vibrant programme
Panels, hands-on workshops and curated exhibitions will unfold from morning until late afternoon, giving entrepreneurs, students and community leaders a chance to swap ideas on leadership, project management and social innovation.
International guests are expected beside local experts, opening the floor to comparative experiences on digital transition, green entrepreneurship and culture-based development that match Brazzaville’s own ambitions.
Immersion and live streaming raise the bar
Organisers promise a revamped scenography: large-format projections, 360-degree lighting and short documentary clips will create an immersive backdrop for each speaker, making complex topics feel tangible.
A partnership with local telecom operators will provide real-time streaming on social media, a first for the event and a way to reach Congolese youth who increasingly follow conferences on their smartphones.
Ambassador Noe Mavoungou’s symbolic presence
Singer and philanthropist Noe Mavoungou has accepted the role of event ambassador. Her commitment to girls’ education is expected to resonate strongly with attendees, offering a unifying figure whose popularity bridges generations.
“Innovation begins with self-confidence,” she said during a pre-event briefing, adding that her goal is to “turn the spotlight on hundreds of unsung heroines”.
A trophy night to remember
The award ceremony traditionally provides the emotional peak of Femmes Spéciales Brazza. This year’s edition will feature five prize categories, celebrating achievements in tech, arts, green economy, social impact and community leadership.
Winners will be announced in a festive yet solemn atmosphere mixing live music, fashion showcases and testimonials from past laureates, whose success stories continue to inspire newcomers.
From post-Covid resilience to lasting impact
The 2024 edition focused on post-pandemic recovery. Discussions there led to the birth of several women-run cooperatives and a network connecting more than 300 participants.
That groundwork set a precedent for collaborative action. The 2025 meeting aims to consolidate those gains, secure new partnerships and push the number of active members beyond 500.
Upskilling women for the digital economy
Hands-on sessions will cover coding basics, e-commerce logistics and mobile-money management, areas in which Congolese women have shown growing interest yet still face access gaps.
Coach Elodie Ntsita, who will lead a workshop on social-media branding, notes that many small businesses fail to cross the digital divide. “Our role is to hand over tools, not just advice,” she stresses.
Economic and cultural boost for the capital
Hotels, caterers and transport operators in downtown Brazzaville anticipate a welcome uptick in activity during the four-day gathering.
Beyond the immediate economic ripple, city officials see the event as part of a wider strategy to position the capital as a regional hub for creative and social entrepreneurship, in line with government development priorities.
What participants and organisers say
Event coordinator Mireille Mampouya underlines the value of intergenerational exchange: “When a market gardener meets a software engineer, both leave with new ideas.”
Student delegate Prisca Okemba, 22, attended the 2024 edition and credits it for her current internship in a fintech start-up. She plans to return “to give back and to learn even more”.
Practical info for would-be attendees
Registration is open online and at the memorial’s information desk from 15 August. Fees remain affordable, with discounted rates for students and co-op members.
Organisers recommend early booking due to limited seating inside the memorial’s main hall. Virtual viewers will be able to follow key sessions free of charge via the event’s official pages.
