| More African Women Are Embracing Entrepreneurship
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| There are growing indications that African women are breaking out of the traditional mold many African cultural inclinations placed on them by embracing entrepreneurship. Analysts have described this development as a very positive trend because modern societies are basically judged by the state of the most vulnerable within such a society, thus with this development, it is a sign that African women are definitely making impact in the right direction. And this can be gleaned from the number of women founded and women run businesses springing up across the continent.
Speaking on this development, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the continent’s leading pan African entrepreneurship and innovation non-profit, the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Irene Ochem said that her organization sets out to identify African women who are making waves in entrepreneurial field and also to encourage them to keep pushing. AWIEF is planning a special event aimed at recognizing such women, their businesses, and also presenting them with awards later in the year. As part of the awards ceremony, AWIEF has announced the top finalists in its annual awards to celebrate women leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa. The leadership of AWIEF believes that the best way to encourage women in business across the continent is to help them to imbibe traits of excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation, interestingly; this year’s event comes as AWIEF celebrates the five-year anniversary of its bench-marking annual Conference and Expo this year. The Awards is already billed to take place from the 29th to 30th of October, in Cape Town, South Africa. According to the CEO of AWIEF, “women-owned businesses are a vital part of our African economy and the women of Africa are our most valuable, untapped resource”. She further stated that “each year the entries to the AWIEF Awards grow in number and this response signifies the importance of recognising and celebrating women in Africa for their achievements and contribution to Africa’s economic and sustainable development, she added. She reiterated that women-owned businesses are growing on the continent and are a vital part of Africa’s future and contributing to the fact that seven out of 10 of the fastest growing economies in the world, are to be found in Africa, a reality that should be taken seriously by women across the continent to explore and expand their business activities. Continuing, she noted that “Africa is rising and we must make sure the women of the continent, the backbone of our communities and our families, are given the opportunities to rise as well”. About 22 women founders and entrepreneurs from different African countries, across 8 different categories have been picked out of a motley crowd that runs into the hundreds, in what the organizers have described as one of their most competitive awards so far. Expressing great confidence in the integrity of its Panel of Judges made up of high-caliber industry experts and thought leaders spread across the continent, AWIEF maintains that this year’s awards ceremony would make a difference. In the words of this year’s Head Judge, Birgitta Cederstrom, “this year’s AWIEF Awards programme has offered a host of equally inspirational and terrific female entrepreneurs and innovators, driving growth for Africa”. Cedesrtom who is the Business Development Director at Frost & Sullivan for Middle East and Africa noted that “the judging panel has had some very busy weeks where we reviewed over 200 shortlists for consideration and we are delighted to see the high standard and quality of entries coming through to AWIEF. This is one of the most robust and independent jury based Awards programmes that currently is offered in Africa, and we are thrilled to support female entrepreneurs with a worthy recognition as well as good PR and Media exposure,” she added. “We are hoping that investors are signing up for the upcoming Award Programme Subscription that will be launched in 2020 to help identify the best female start-ups in Africa across key industries such as Agri, Tech, Fintech, Chemicals and Healthcare,” said Cederstrom. Commenting on the impact AWIEF has made across the continent, the CEO said that the organization remains Africa’s number one voice in driving the agenda for women’s leadership in business, pointing out that the AWIEF brand has grown tremendously over these few years through the sustained support of our trusted partners, local and international, underscoring the great values of AWIEF programmes and projects in accelerating women entrepreneurship as a catalyst of inclusive economic growth. The Awards ceremony has the theme ‘Enhancing impact: digitalisation, investment and intra-Africa trade’. Coming at a time Africa is launching the integration of its economies through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA), observers say that this is the best opportunity for women across Africa to join the train and make impact.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry. Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/ |
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