The Expert Leaders Group (ELG) is a high-level expert group of strong African women leaders in the finance sector that are driving systemic actions to advance women's active participation in the digital economy. In 2021, the Graça Machel Trust convened the ELG under the leadership of H.E Mrs Graça Machel, consisting of female Deputy Governors of Central Banks, financial regulators and senior financial sector leaders to elevate the voices of African women.

These priorities help build inclusive economies and institutions that respond to the needs of women. The ELG represents the five African regions and collaborates with the Trusts' Women's sector-based Networks to build stronger political will and investment in a COVID-19 recovery agenda that is gendered and promotes accountability for action. The Trust's Networks will provide a solid national footprint and jointly work as a collective of actors as an ecosystem for change.

The Expert Leaders group aims to seize the urgency of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to advocate for gender inclusiveness in relief, recovery responses and a reconstruction agenda. This is in the context of pre-existing entrenched structural barriers and social and economic inequalities that disproportionately affect women, worsening due to the pandemic.

Meet the Expert Leaders Group