Juliet Jacob Ochenje
120 Nigerian entrepreneurs will partake in the United States Mission’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme which will train them with the knowledge, networks and access needed to launch and scale successful businesses.
The participants were selected from among over 3,000 applicants to represent all regions of Nigeria, and already have start-up businesses focused on either technology, agriculture or the creative industries.
Launched in 2019 by the U.S. Department of State, AWE has assisted over 25,000 women in more than 80 countries over the past four years, including 770 Nigerian businesswomen, a statement from the U.S Mission stated.
It further disclosed that participants acquire entrepreneurial skills and join a strong AWE network that helps boost their companies and create jobs.
Accordung to the statement, the annual six-week programme combines facilitated online business courses, via the DreamBuilder platform, developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, with mentoring from established women entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the virtual launch, Chargé d’Affaires David Greene congratulated the women participants and urged them to “take what you learn from this programme to grow your business, improve your lives and contribute to the growth of Nigeria.”
Describing how the AWE programme helped them grow their businesses, expand their networks, and access funding, three AWE alumnae also spoke at the virtual launch event: Adesola Adesakin, CEO Smart Stewards Financial Advisory Ltd; Habiba Rabiu, Founder of Arty Makers Nigeria Ltd; and Adebiso Odeleye, CEO of Moore Organics.
AWE Nigeria is implemented in partnership with Ascend Studios, led by Inya Lawal, an alumna of the Fortune-U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership Programme.
