Dr. Fatima Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, has been officially inaugurated as President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) at the OAFLAD Secretariat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

She is joined in leadership by Her Excellency Mrs. Anna Dias Lourenço, First Lady of Angola, who assumes the role of Vice President.

Welcomed with warmth and grace by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Nardos Berhanu, and her team, the new leaders began their tenure with a tour of the Secretariat and an introduction to the dedicated staff who power OAFLAD’s mission.

In her comprehensive briefing, Dr. Nardos reflected on OAFLAD’s journey since its founding in 2002, sharing insights into its governance, membership, strategic direction, and evolving partnerships.

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She spoke candidly about the organization’s achievements and the challenges that remain, including the ongoing revision of its constitution and the implementation of the Strategic Framework 2025–2030. She also presented an overview of OAFLAD’s financial standing, emphasizing transparency and accountability.

In her inaugural remarks, Dr. Fatima Bio expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome and detailed orientation. Her Excellency emphasized the irony of advocating for women’s empowerment and equal rights in the absence of peace, stability, and a secure environment.

She underscored that under her leadership, OAFLAD will place strategic focus on the pressing global challenges of climate change, peace, and human security recognizing them as foundational pillars for sustainable development and gender equity. With clarity of purpose, she pledged to advance a bold and visionary agenda that not only builds on the legacy of ‘WeAreEqual’ but also redefines it in the context of today’s most urgent humanitarian concerns.

Echoing this sentiment, Vice President Mrs. Ana Dias Lourenço, also thanked the Secretariat and expressed her readiness to work collaboratively toward a brighter future for women and children across the African continent.