The United States Mission has unveiled the fifth Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Nigeria, in partnership with Ascend Studios. 

AWE will provide 120 women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to launch and scale businesses.

The participants were selected from 3,000 applicants from all over Nigeria, and have start-up businesses focused on technology, agriculture, or creative industries.

Unveiled in 2019 by the US Department of State, AWE has assisted over 25,000 women in more than 80 countries over the past four years, including 770 Nigerians.

Participants acquire entrepreneurial skills and join a strong AWE network that helps boost their companies and create jobs.

The yearly 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.

At the virtual launch, Chargé d’Affaires David Greene congratulated the women participants and urged them to “take what you learn from this program 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 spoke at the virtual event: Adesola Adesakin, CEO Smart Stewards Financial Advisory Limited; Habiba Rabiu, Founder, Arty Makers Nigeria Limited; and Adebiso Odeleye, Chief Executive Officer, 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.

Source; the Nation