First National Bank (FNB) has joined forces with the WomenIN Festival 2025 as a lead empowerment partner to advance women’s leadership, financial inclusion, and long-term growth across South Africa.
Set for November 13–14 at Cape Town’s Newlands Cricket Ground, the WomenIN Festival will unite entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, and changemakers under the theme “Limitless: No Labels, No Limits, No Apologies.” The two-day event aims to provide practical tools, real stories, and community connections that help women lead, grow, and thrive.
For FNB, the partnership represents more than corporate sponsorship, it’s a commitment to purpose. Nicole Sykes, Head of Women in Business at FNB, said the bank’s focus is on being an active, long-term ally to women in every sphere of life. “This is more than a partnership, it’s a movement,” Sykes said. “We invite every woman to step into her power, connect, and grow with us. FNB is your partner in progress.”
The collaboration will feature a series of hands-on sessions at the festival, including financial wellness workshops on money management and wealth creation, as well as leadership roundtables hosted through FNB’s Nav Marketplace and the WomenIN platform. Beyond the festival, FNB will continue providing educational programmes and mentorship opportunities to sustain the momentum of empowerment.
WomenIN founder Nazlee Fredericks-Maharaj described the partnership as a powerful catalyst for change. She said that joining forces with FNB expands the impact of WomenIN’s mission to build women’s confidence, financial literacy, and leadership capacity across industries.
Both FNB and WomenIN share a vision of inclusive economic growth where women not only participate in the economy but also lead it. The partnership is part of FNB’s wider efforts to create access to resources, mentorship, and financial tools tailored to women-led enterprises.
Participants can expect two days of insightful conversations, practical learning, and networking opportunities designed to spark collaboration and long-term growth. Registration for the festival and details about FNB’s Women in Business initiatives are available online.
As the festival approaches, organisers say the energy surrounding it signals a shift, from viewing women’s empowerment as a conversation to making it a shared mission that drives progress, purpose, and prosperity across South Africa.
