Flourish Africa continues its unwavering commitment to empowering women across Africa by empowering 100 deserving female entrepreneurs through its acclaimed Business and Life Skills Training Program. This fresh cohort of entrepreneurs, selected through a compelling pitch competition, is set to receive transformative seed grants.
The initiative stands as a beacon of empowerment, showcasing Flourish Africa’s steadfast dedication to fostering the growth and success of women entrepreneurs on the African continent.
At the seventh annual Flourish Africa Conference themed ‘She-Champions: Fostering Economic Growth and Participation in a Digital Economy,’ founder Apostle Folorunso Alakija announced an increase in the Flourish Africa Female Entrepreneurs’ business seed grants from N2 million to an impressive N3 million. This initiative aligns with Flourish Africa’s ambitious goal of empowering at least 2500 female entrepreneurs over the next five years.
Since 2022, Flourish Africa has successfully trained over 1,005 female entrepreneurs, disbursing N200 million in grants to 200 deserving recipients.
Speaking at the conference, Apostle Folorunso Alakija emphasized the program’s role as a knowledge-sharing platform, catalyzing impact-driven women’s growth and development across diverse crucial areas.
Highlighting the program’s success, she noted its positive impact, supporting thousands of lives through various interventions. The N1 billion grant program, launched in 2021, has supported 200 women with N400 million, injecting vital capital to expand businesses and create community impact. Over 1,000 women entrepreneurs have also benefited from world-class business training, alongside financial support.
Mrs. Somachi Asoluka, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, underscored the crucial role of women in fostering economic growth in a digital economy. She praised Alakija’s efforts in championing gender equality, stating that the economic power of women is a transformative force.
To bridge the digital gender gap, collective efforts from the public and private sectors are essential, according to Asoluka. She highlighted the untapped potential of half the global population as crucial for nations to prosper.
Addressing challenges faced by Nigerian businesses, Dr. Jack Kings, Regional Head of the Bank of Industry (Lagos Region), highlighted issues such as limited access to finance, high costs of doing business, lack of trained manpower, poor bookkeeping practices, and market fluctuations vulnerability.
Dr. Temi Adeyemi, founder of Money Africa, stressed the importance of defining growth and leveraging technology for entrepreneurial success.
The event encompassed panel discussions with esteemed speakers exploring the transformative power of innovation and inclusive growth in the digital era.
Flourish Africa, founded by Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, remains a dedicated women’s empowerment movement, serving as a catalyst for female empowerment and development.
