Oman-founded WFC opens first African chapter in Cameroon

MUSCAT, JUNE 3

The global Women Future Cities (WFC) initiative has announced the launch of its first African chapter in Cameroon during a special ceremony held at the Republic of Cameroon Pavilion on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The milestone marks a major step in the initiative’s international expansion and underscores its growing commitment to empowering women to play a leading role in shaping smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive cities and communities worldwide.

The newly established Cameroon Chapter, the first for Women Future Cities in Africa, will be led by Mirabel Ndum Mabeh, who has been appointed Head of the Women Future Cities Cameroon Chapter. Under her leadership, the chapter aims to engage women from diverse sectors and backgrounds, promoting innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability and community development across Cameroon.

Founded in the Sultanate of Oman, Women Future Cities has rapidly grown into a global platform dedicated to empowering women and creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to the development of future-ready communities. The initiative focuses on leadership development, knowledge sharing, capacity building and international collaboration.

Commenting on the launch, Laila al Hadhrami, Chairwoman of Women Future Cities, emphasised the significance of the initiative’s expansion into Africa.

“The launch of our Cameroon Chapter is an important milestone in our journey toward building a truly global network of women leaders and changemakers. Africa is home to tremendous talent, innovation, and potential, and we are excited to collaborate with women in Cameroon to drive positive impact within their communities and beyond,” she said.

The Cameroon Chapter will focus on advancing the four key pillars of Women Future Cities: Leadership and Community Development, Smart Technologies, Environment and Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship.

Through workshops, leadership programmes, community initiatives, and strategic partnerships, the chapter seeks to equip women with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to lead meaningful change and contribute to the development of smart and sustainable communities.

The launch follows the successful establishment of Women Future Cities chapters in Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Peru, reflecting the initiative’s expanding international footprint and its commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration among women.

As Women Future Cities continues its global expansion, the initiative remains focused on empowering women to become active contributors in shaping the future of cities and communities through innovation, sustainability and inclusive leadership.