As part of the official engagements marking her inauguration as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, delivered a powerful keynote address at a working dinner hosted by the OAFLAD Secretariat. The event, held at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, was organized in commemoration of the inauguration of the new President and Vice President of OAFLAD, and also marked the official launch of the OAFLAD Strategic Framework 2025–2030.
The dinner brought together esteemed OAFLAD partners, including representatives from the United Nations, African Union, diplomatic corps, non-governmental organizations, and philanthropic institutions. The evening began with opening remarks from the OAFLAD Executive Secretary, who welcomed the guests and invited Dr. Bio to deliver the welcome address and declaration of purpose.
Elegantly dressed in a flowing white West African gown symbolic of her new role, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio was received with resounding applause. In her remarks, she expressed heartfelt appreciation to OAFLAD’s partners for their steadfast support and reaffirmed her commitment—alongside Vice President Her Excellency Mrs. Ana Dias Lourenço—to advancing OAFLAD’s mission across the continent.
“This evening celebrates the partnerships that have brought us this far, and the shared responsibility we carry to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Africa’s most vulnerable,” Dr. Bio stated. She further emphasized that under their leadership, OAFLAD will build on its achievements and respond decisively to the evolving challenges facing women and children in Africa.
Highlighting the newly endorsed Strategic Framework 2025–2030, Dr. Bio described it as a bold and forward-looking roadmap aligned with OAFLAD’s vision for sustainable development. She called for deeper collaboration and innovation, expressing hope for transformative outcomes in health, education, gender-based violence, and women’s economic empowerment.
Dr. Bio also congratulated the newly appointed leadership of the African Union—Chairperson His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and his Deputy—calling their appointment a beacon of renewed energy and strengthened cooperation. She pledged OAFLAD’s full support in advancing the shared priorities of the African people.
Chairperson Youssouf, who delivered the keynote speech, congratulated the new leadership and commended the contributions of First Ladies across the continent. “This collaboration is not a favor—it is recognition of the extraordinary service First Ladies provide to our people,” he remarked. Declaring himself a feminist and proud father of six daughters, he pledged the AU’s full support in the implementation of the 2025-2030 Strategic Framework.
A presentation of the Strategic Framework was delivered by Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, who outlined its core pillars—Health, Education, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)—as well as the cross-cutting themes of climate change, peace, and security. She called on partners to remain committed to collaborative implementation efforts.
In closing, OAFLAD Vice President Mrs. Ana Dias Lourenço offered a vote of thanks, describing Dr. Bio’s speech as “inspiring” and pledging her full support during their tenure. She encouraged all Steering Committee members and stakeholders to remain steadfast in their commitment to the framework’s implementation, noting that its transparent and inclusive approach offers a promising path forward.
“We are confident that through unity, partnership, and dedication, the goals we have set will become a reality,” she concluded.
The successful launch of the OAFLAD Strategic Framework 2025–2030 signals a renewed era of visionary leadership, anchored in purpose, collaboration, and hope for a better Africa.
Strategic Communications Division,
Office of the First Lady,
Republic of Sierra Leone.
