A global non-governmental organisation, GirlsWhoPrint, has recently intensified efforts to expand women’s leadership, innovation, and ethical standards across Africa’s printing and packaging industry.

The event, themed “The Future of Print and The Women Leading It”, held recently in Lagos, brought together female professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the continent for discussions on the sector’s future.

The conference highlighted the achievements and resilience of women shaping the print and packaging landscape while advancing conversations on sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive leadership in an industry experiencing rapid technological change.

The PrintHerCon series aims to spotlight women whose creativity and expertise continue to redefine the limits of print technology and packaging innovation. GirlsWhoPrint, a global network of more than 15,000 members, has grown into the world’s largest platform dedicated to empowering women in the print industry. Its recent expansion into Africa marks a significant milestone, establishing a regional network to help women break barriers, access opportunities, and assume leadership positions across the continent’s creative and manufacturing sectors.

Speaking at the conference, the Regional Founder of GirlsWhoPrint Africa, Ayanfeoluwa Ibitoye, emphasised that the organisation’s mission extends far beyond gender parity.

“We believe that empowering women in print is not just about equality; it is about unlocking innovation, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of a vital industry that powers communication, culture, and commerce across the continent,” she said.

Ibitoye highlighted collaboration as a core pillar of the organisation’s impact.

“Everyone can learn from each other; that is the power of community,” she added, noting that GirlsWhoPrint Africa was recently established to amplify women’s voices, foster collaboration, and create lasting opportunities for professional growth.

She described the conference as a platform to elevate the contributions of African women in print while advocating for empowerment, creativity, and inclusive industry advancement.

“As Africa’s creative economy grows, we remain committed to ensuring that women are not only participants but trailblazers shaping the industry’s future,” Ibitoye stated.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of Promo Print Ventures, Patricia Ojora, called for courage and intentional leadership in an era defined by technological disruption.

She urged industry players to rise above uncertainty, embrace innovation, and lead with clarity and purpose. Ojora also noted that businesses are navigating pressures of reinvention, sustainability, and digital transformation, highlighting the need for bold, future-ready leadership to steer the print sector forward.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Seal Group, Mrs Tonya Lawani, encouraged participants to eliminate procrastination, describing it as “an enemy of progress”. She urged women to take ownership of their ambitions, act decisively, and execute their visions with discipline.

The conference featured mentorship sessions, skill-building workshops, and panels on digital innovation, sustainability, and women’s leadership, reinforcing its mission to build a more inclusive print ecosystem across Africa.