Lapid Leaders Africa CEO Esther Mwaniki calls on women to lead beyond representation
Mwaniki said representation remains important but should not be treated as the ultimate measure of progress for women in leadership.
Nairobi, Kenya - Women leaders, according to Lapid Leaders Africa CEO Esther Mwaniki, should shift their focus from merely securing positions of influence to creating opportunities and building institutions for future generations. While representation remains crucial, Mwaniki emphasizes that it should not be the sole metric for progress.
Speaking on The Jam show, Mwaniki urged women in leadership roles to consider the impact of their work and what they leave behind. She stressed that the focus should move beyond simply having women in sectors like politics, technology, and healthcare to evaluating the outcomes of their presence in those positions. Mwaniki was addressing the upcoming Women of Purpose Summit 2026, themed "Beyond Representation," set to take place at Emara Ole-Sereni in Nairobi.
The summit will bring together women leaders from various fields to discuss how their leadership can strengthen institutions and create opportunities. Mwaniki defined purpose-driven leadership as the intersection of leadership excellence and collective impact. She highlighted the example of Microsoft Africa Development Centre's Managing Director, Catherine, as an example of leadership that prioritizes building local capacity.
Lapid Leaders Africa aims to unlock one million opportunities over the next decade, focusing on young people and providing them with the tools to create their own paths. Mwaniki challenged women leaders to prioritize building rather than inheriting, stressing that sustainable jobs and meaningful impact are achieved through creating opportunities rather than waiting for them to be handed down.
She also emphasized the importance of personal development, discipline, and character in effective leadership, cautioning against relying solely on appearances and personal branding. Mwaniki's leadership journey includes challenging bullying during her school days, becoming school captain, and eventually founding Lapid Leaders Africa in 2014.
The organization aims to develop leaders who can positively impact communities by lighting up the path for others.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
