McDonald’s South Africa Partners With Forbes Leading Women Summit 2026

McDonald’s South Africa has announced its partnership with the Forbes Leading Women Summit 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership and creating pathways for growth across the business landscape in Africa.

As part of the summit, senior women leaders from McDonald’s South Africa participated in two panel discussions, contributing perspectives on leadership, entrepreneurship and the evolving role of women in shaping Africa’s economic future. Their participation reflects the organisation’s broader focus on developing women leaders across operational, management and ownership levels.

Hosted by Forbes Africa, the summit brings together influential leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and change-makers from across the continent. This year’s theme, “The Voice, Vision and Victories of Her Africa,” focuses on amplifying women’s voices while recognizing measurable leadership outcomes across industries.

At McDonald’s South Africa, women’s leadership is reflected across the organization’s workforce and management pipeline. Women represent over 60% of the total workforce, 64% of restaurant managers, and 10% of owner-operators, while approximately 40% of leadership roles across the organization are held by women.

According to Max Oliva, supporting platforms that elevate women leaders is essential to building stronger businesses and more inclusive economies.

“Across Africa, women are driving innovation, strengthening communities and shaping the future of business,” says Oliva. “We are proud to partner with Forbes Africa for the Leading Women Summit and to see our own women leaders contributing their voices and expertise to these important conversations.”

Oliva added that investing in women is not only a social priority but also a strategic business imperative.

“The data consistently shows that diverse leadership teams produce stronger governance, better decision-making and greater innovation. When organizations create clear pathways for women to lead from mentorship to ownership, the benefits extend far beyond the workplace and into the broader economy.”

The participation of McDonald’s South Africa’s leadership team at the summit reflects the company’s internal commitment to leadership development initiatives such as its Women in Leadership Network, which supports mentorship, leadership visibility and professional growth across the organisation. Oliva notes that platforms like the Forbes Leading Women Summit play a critical role in strengthening collaboration between industries and leaders committed to accelerating gender parity.

“The theme ‘The Voice, Vision and Victories of Her Africa’ reminds us that progress requires intentional action,” he says. “As business leaders and institutions, we share the responsibility to ensure that women’s voices are heard, their visions are supported and their victories continue to grow.”

The Forbes Leading Women Summit 2026 will convene influential leaders from across Africa and the globe to explore leadership, entrepreneurship, investment and innovation, while celebrating the women shaping the continent’s future.