Merck Foundation Summit 2025 Brings First Ladies of Africa, Asia Together to Drive Social Change
Merck Foundation Summit 2025 Brings First Ladies of Africa, Asia Together to Drive Social Change
Merck Foundation Summit 2025 Brings First Ladies of Africa, Asia Together to Drive Social Change
The 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit brought together an extraordinary gathering of First Ladies from Africa and Asia, creating a powerful platform for collaboration, innovation, and social impact.
ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia Permits Expats Earning Over 50,000 Riyals (~$13,000) Per Month to Purchase Alcohol
Hosted under the leadership of Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of MFFLI, the summit focused on three key priorities: empowering women and girls, breaking infertility stigma, and transforming healthcare and media capacity across participating nations.
The summit featured engagement with:
- H.E. Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of Angola
- H.E. Dr. Débora Katisa Carvalho, First Lady of Cabo Verde
- H.E. Madam Brigitte Touadera, First Lady of Central African Republic
- H.E. Madam Zita Oligui Nguema, First Lady of Gabon
- H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia
- H.E. Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, First Lady of Ghana
- H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of Kenya
- H.E. Mrs. Kartumu Yarta Boakai, First Lady of Liberia
- H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed, First Lady of Maldives
- H.E. Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo, First Lady of Mozambique
- H.E. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria
- H.E. Mrs. Maria de Fatima Vila Nova, First Lady of São Tomé and Príncipe
- H.E. Madam Marie Khone Faye, First Lady of Senegal
- H.E. Amai Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, First Lady of Zimbabwe
During the summit, participants shared experiences, strategies, and initiatives aimed at creating sustainable solutions for healthcare, women’s empowerment, and media development. Dr. Kelej described the energy in the room as “electric – full of compassion, collaboration, and commitment,” highlighting the summit as a celebration of sisterhood and shared purpose.
“This summit was more than a conference – it was a testament to the incredible impact women leaders can create when they unite around common goals,” Dr. Kelej stated.
The 2025 MFFLI Summit reinforces the Merck Foundation’s ongoing mission to advance healthcare, education, and social change while building a network of women leaders committed to shaping a brighter future for their countries.
Merck Foundation Summit 2025 Brings First Ladies of Africa, Asia Together to Drive Social Change
