Dakar, Senegal | July 29, 2026 – Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG), organizers of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Summit & Awards (50MIA), is proud to announce an exceptional lineup of internationally respected leaders who will headline The Signature Conversation of Dakar 2026, the flagship panel discussion of this year's Summit.
The highly anticipated session, titled:
The Architecture of Change: Building Africa's Women Sports Ecosystem
will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Local Dakar Time / GMT) at SEN Hôtel, Saly, Dakar, Senegal, during the 2026 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Summit & Awards, which will be held alongside the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The Signature Conversation will convene an extraordinary group of visionary leaders whose work spans global sport governance, academia, media, policy, entrepreneurship, and international development.
Distinguished Panelists
Ms. Benny Bonsu
Chief of Content, Olympic Channel
An internationally respected sports media executive, Ms. Benny Bonsu has become one of the leading voices shaping how the Olympic Movement tells its stories around the world. Her work has elevated African narratives and strengthened global engagement through innovative storytelling and digital content leadership.
Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries
Associate Professor, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
One of the world's foremost authorities on sport tourism, mega-events, sustainability, and legacy, Dr. Swart-Arries brings more than three decades of experience spanning Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups, academia, policy development, and international research.
Mapulane Phohleli
Global Chair – Sports Empowerment and Championships Wing, G100 Mission Million
A globally recognized advocate for women's empowerment through sport, Mapulane Phohleli is Founder and President of Mot'seeo FC and leads international initiatives that use sport as a catalyst for social transformation, leadership development, peacebuilding, and community empowerment.
Dr. Eugenia Chidhakwa
Chief Director, Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Zimbabwe
A pioneering sports administrator and policy leader, Dr. Chidhakwa has spent more than two decades advancing sports governance, Olympic values, youth development, and gender equity across Africa while helping shape national and continental sports policy.
Moderator
Dr. Memuna Williams
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Empowering Sustainable Change
Co-Founder & Operations Lead, Champs for Change
Moderating this landmark discussion will be internationally respected executive Dr. Memuna Williams, whose distinguished career spans more than thirty years in leadership, education, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and women's empowerment. Her extensive experience working across Africa and internationally positions her uniquely to guide one of the Summit's most consequential conversations.
Together, these distinguished women will explore how governments, federations, academia, media, private industry, international organizations, and civil society can work collaboratively to accelerate the development of a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive women's sports ecosystem across Africa.
About the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Summit & Awards
The 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Summit & Awards (50MIA) is Africa's premier leadership platform dedicated to celebrating, recognizing, and connecting the continent's most influential women shaping the future of sport. The annual Summit convenes senior executives, policymakers, athletes, academics, media leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, sports organizations, and development partners to foster dialogue, collaboration, innovation, and investment that advances women's leadership and the growth of Africa's sports industry
About Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG)
Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) is an international sports business, media, events, and advisory organization dedicated to accelerating the commercialization, development, and global positioning of African sport. Through strategic partnerships, leadership forums, media platforms, research, investment initiatives, and innovative sporting events, ASVG works to build sustainable sports ecosystems that create economic opportunities, strengthen institutions, and transform communities throughout Africa and its global diaspora.
Media Contact
Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG)
50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Summit & Awards
*Website:* www.50mia.com
*Email:* projectlead@50mia.com
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