At the Graça Machel Trust, we believe in spotlighting the women whose leadership lights the way for others. In this issue of The Catalysts, we proudly celebrate three phenomenal trailblazers whose contributions are shaping the future of financial inclusion, economic justice, and women’s advancement.
Gloria Lema: Coaching with Purpose, Leading with Heart
Coach. Mentor. Believer in potential. Gloria Lema, part of dynamic the Women Creating Wealth Programme team in Tanzania, was recently honoured by the entrepreneurs she has guided with passion and purpose. Through the leadership of Neema Mleli (Integrated Empowerment Initiatives) and Lulu Nyapili (Tanzania Women Tapo), Gloria was recognised for her continuous support of women building their own paths to prosperity. “It’s never just about business—it’s about freedom, confidence, and legacy.” – Gloria Lema.
Congratulations, Gloria, on this well-earned tribute.
Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye: Leading Rwanda’s Financial Future with Vision and Integrity
We proudly celebrate the appointment of Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye as the new Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda in February this year. A distinguished leader in finance and policy, she joined the Graça Machel Trust’s Expert Leaders Group (ELG) in July 2023 while serving as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Rwanda. Her induction into the ELG was marked by a personal welcome from Mrs Graça Machel, who recognised her commitment to advancing financial inclusion and gender equity. This new appointment is a powerful milestone—not only for Rwanda, but for inclusive leadership across Africa.
We salute Hon. Hakuziyaremye’s trailblazing leadership and look forward to the continued impact she will make in shaping equitable economic systems. Read more.
HE Graça Machel: Steadily Shaping Africa’s Future Through Advocacy and Action
Mrs. Graça Machel’s work continues to have a lasting influence on how Africa approaches women, children and adolescents. Over the years, she has focused on creating practical, long-term solutions—supporting women to grow their businesses, improving access to education, and encouraging young people to be active in shaping their communities and futures. What sets her apart is her ability to connect ideas with action. Whether through policy work, partnerships, or community initiatives, she has helped build platforms that support women and girls to participate more fully in society and the economy.
Read more about her life’s work from an article that was published The Benchmark here.
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.