Women’s Entrepreneurship Day holds November 17

Nigeria is currently the leading economy in Africa and is certainly an exciting place to be a woman entrepreneur. Over the last decade, there has been a surge in the number of women in entrepreneurship who are positively changing the narrative of Nigeria by adding value to our economy and getting the world to sit up and take notice of the products they are creating and the business empires they are building.

As reported by entrepreneurship.org, even when women have the skills needed to run “high impact ventures”, the lack of strong networks can dwarf their growth. The Global Banking Alliance for Women also says women entrepreneurs drive 20% more revenue in spite of securing less than 50% of global funding for their businesses. This picture becomes even grimmer when viewed at a national level; according to the IFC (International Finance Corporation), in Nigeria, women-owned businesses represent over 25% of registered businesses but have access to less than 3% of commercial bank finance.

The WED Organisation empowers women and girls to become active participants in the economy by igniting a network of women leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to initiate start-ups, drive economic expansion, and advance communities around the world. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the WED Organisation builds vital networks of like-minded individuals and organizations that women business leaders need to realize their full potential and change the world. The organization also brings together business leaders, government officials and the civil society, to collaborate and find solutions in critical areas of entrepreneurship eco-systems, education and policy creation to empower women in business. WED Organisation also promotes best practice, links women entrepreneurs with partners and consumers, and supports its ambassadors globally to drive change, economic expansion, and advance communities around the world.

The WED Nigeria ambassador Adenike Kuti

Here in Nigeria, the celebration will be hosted by the WED Nigeria team led by Adenike Kuti and Tori Abiola, the WED Nigeria ambassador and co-ambassador, on November 17th, 2017 at the Access Bank head office, Danmole Victoria Island, Lagos. The event is powered by Access Bank’s W Initiative and supported by United Nations Women.

This year, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day’s event has been themed “Local to Global” and will showcase women entrepreneurs from various industries who started local businesses which have overtime expanded beyond Nigeria. The day will attract a host of women including women who have excelled both in the business world through entrepreneurial innovation, as well as the corporate world. These women represent the most powerful of the African business cohort across various industries.

One of the sessions which will hold is titled ‘Enablers for Global positioning”. This will deep dive into key areas required in building a global business and panellists will include experts in digitalisation, branding, marketing, and angel investing.

Confirmed speakers and moderators include Ndidi Nwuneli (Managing Partner, Sahel Capital Advisory and AACE Foods), Oke Maduewesi (Zaron Cosmetics Limited), Kemi Adetiba (President, K’Alpha), Funke Bucknor (CEO, Zapphire), Dr Ibilola Amao (Principal Consultant, Lonadek Inc.), Tariye Isoun Gbadegesin (Head, Heavy Industries and Telecomms, Africa Finance Corporation), Osayi Alile (CEO, ACT Foundation), Steve Babaeko (CEO, X3M Ideas), Adim Isiakpona (Digital Media Marketing Lead Middle East, Turkey & Africa and Regional Marketing Manager Africa at Intel Corporation), Kudzayi Hove (Co-Founder, Amayi Foods Limited), Ivana Osagie (Rising Tide Network, an affiliate of Lagos Angel Network), Tokunboh Ishmael (MD, Alitheia Capital), Titi Odunfa Adeoye (Managing Director, Sankore Investments) and Foluso Gbadamosi (Co-Founder, 8191 Solutions) and Access Bank.

The WED Nigeria Ambassador, Adenike Kuti, a seasoned Private Equity Professional has this to say, ‘this year’s WED Nigeria event will facilitate networking amongst female entrepreneurs and corporate professionals, with the aim of encouraging every entrepreneur and/or business represented to think global. The day will also feature the first WED Nigeria Pitchaton, where 5 shortlisted female entrepreneurs will be given an opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel comprising business mentors, angel investors, VCs and financiers to secure potential investors, mentors or financing for their businesses.

This year’s event promises to be impactful and is powered by Access Bank Plc and W Community. It is also supported by the UN Women and Guardian Woman. WED is the world’s largest celebration of women innovators, founding startups, creating jobs, bringing ideas to life, driving economic growth and expanding human welfare. It is such an honor to have Nigeria participate in this global movement”.