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Women and Politics: Inside ELLES’COACHING’s Electoral BootCamp in Guinea

Just days before Guinea’s elections, the ELLES’COACHING program prepared female candidates for Election Day. Discover how this initiative strengthens women’s political leadership and participation.

3 min strategic read
Key Takeaways

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The Initiative at a Glance

10 yearsThe age of Madame Digital, the impact platform founded in 2016 and co-creator of the ELLES’COACHING initiative, now operating at the intersection of leadership, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
30The number of female candidates who participated in the first intensive BootCamp session conducted within a single campaign headquarters.
4The number of political party headquarters visited by the expert team during field deployments on May 29 and 30, 2026.
A strategic coaching session for female political candidates led by ELLES’COACHING experts inside a campaign headquarters in Conakry.

Today, women are increasingly present at the center of decision-making, innovation, and social transformation.

Yet despite growing ambition and participation, a significant gap often remains between the desire to lead and meaningful access to positions of influence.

In Guinea, one initiative is working to bridge that gap.

Through targeted coaching, leadership development, and strategic political training, ELLES’COACHING is helping prepare a new generation of women leaders to compete, lead, and succeed.

Turning Political Ambition Into Electoral Readiness

Elections are never won by chance.

Successful campaigns require preparation, structure, discipline, and strategy.

Recognizing this reality, BE IMPACT born from the collaboration between BAANTOU and Eve Solutions and Madame Digital launched ELLES’COACHING | Special Elections, a program specifically designed to strengthen women’s participation in politics.

As Guinea prepared for the crucial legislative and municipal elections of May 31, 2026, the organizers chose an unconventional approach.

Instead of limiting activities to conference rooms and workshops, the program brought expertise directly to where political decisions were being made.

On May 29 and 30, ELLES’COACHING deployed its Electoral BootCamp, "My Election Day as a Candidate," across the headquarters of five political parties.

The objective was simple: prepare candidates for the most critical phase of their campaigns.

Managing the Pressure of the Final 48 Hours

The final hours before an election are often the most decisive.

Under the leadership of Honorable Aïssata Daffé, former minister and campaign director, participants received practical guidance on the challenges candidates face during Election Day.

Training sessions focused on:

• Election Day communication strategies

• Public image management

• Social media engagement

• Leadership posture under pressure

• Crisis and reputation management

The emphasis was placed on real-world scenarios rather than theoretical concepts.

For Fatoumata Soumah, a national-list candidate who attended the first day of the program, this hands-on approach was particularly valuable.

Workshops were delivered inclusively in both French and national languages, ensuring that participants from diverse backgrounds could fully engage with the content and apply the lessons to their own political realities.

Strong Institutional Support at the Highest Levels

The growing momentum behind women’s political leadership has also attracted support from key national institutions.

During the official launch ceremony held in Conakry on May 23, 2026, the initiative brought together several high-profile government figures, including:

• General Amara Camara, Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency

• Djiba Diakité, Minister and Chief of Staff

• Patricia Lamah, Minister for the Promotion of Women

The support expressed by Djami Diallo, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, was also recognized as a strong signal of commitment to inclusive governance and democratic participation.

Their presence underscored the increasing importance of women’s leadership within Guinea’s political landscape.

International Expertise Supporting Local Leadership

To ensure participants received world-class guidance, program coordinators Dr. Mariam Tendou Kamara and Fatoumata Binta Souaré Hann assembled a multidisciplinary team of experts with international experience.

The coaching team included:

• Journalists from leading international media organizations

• International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified coaches

• Specialists in artificial intelligence and digital strategy

• Communication and leadership experts

Their mission was not simply to prepare women for an election.

It was to equip them with the tools needed to build long-term influence, navigate complex political environments, and strengthen their leadership capacity.

Beyond Elections: Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders

The significance of ELLES’COACHING extends far beyond a single electoral cycle.

The program reflects a broader movement toward empowering women with the skills, confidence, and networks required to occupy leadership positions across society.

Whether in politics, business, public administration, or civil society, the ability to communicate effectively, lead strategically, and adapt to change has become essential.

By combining leadership coaching, political training, digital expertise, and mentorship, ELLES’COACHING is helping create a stronger pipeline of women leaders prepared to shape Guinea’s future.

The message emerging from the initiative is clear:

Guinean women are not waiting for opportunities to be given to them they are preparing themselves to lead, influence, and make an impact.

Analyse d'Impact Général

Ce que cette actualité signifie pour vous

  • For female candidates and politicians: A campaign doesn't end the day before the vote. Adopt the "Election Day Rule" taught at the BootCamp: document your election day. Take photos upon arrival, while voting, and with citizens. This isn't vanity; it's strategic political communication to solidify your image as a leader.
  • For female entrepreneurs: As Madame Digital reminds us, in the age of artificial intelligence, ambition alone is no longer enough. Success is no longer achieved by the most visible, but by the most agile and well-organized. Invest in personal branding coaching to learn how to clearly position yourself in your market.
  • For political staff: The participants unanimously agree: the need for support extends beyond the elections. It's time to integrate continuing education programs (leadership, public speaking) for your elected officials to strengthen the quality of our governance.

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