In a significant move towards Supporting female entrepreneurship, the US Mission has teamed up with Ascend Studios to unveil the fifth edition of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Nigeria. This transformative initiative aims to empower 120 women in business by equipping them with the knowledge, network, and resources necessary to launch and scale successful ventures.
A pool of over 3,000 applicants from diverse regions of Nigeria vied for a spot in the program. The selected participants already helm startups in the dynamic fields of technology, agriculture, and the creative industries. This underlines the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape existing among women in Nigeria.
Over the past four years, the AWE program has left an indelible mark, reaching out to and assisting more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs across 80 countries. Notably, it has been instrumental in empowering 770 Nigerian businesswomen, underscoring its impact on the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The AWE program is a six-week immersive experience that combines expert-led online business courses through the DreamBuilder platform, developed by the distinguished Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, with invaluable mentorship from accomplished women entrepreneurs. This holistic approach ensures that participants not only gain vital business skills but also become part of a robust network that catalyzes business growth and job creation.
At the virtual launch event, Chargé d’Affaires, David Greene, extended his congratulations to the women participants, encouraging them to leverage the knowledge and skills acquired from the program to not only elevate their businesses but also enrich their lives and contribute meaningfully to the economic prosperity of Nigeria.
The impact of the AWE program was further underscored by three alumni who shared their success stories, highlighting how the program played a pivotal role in expanding their businesses, forging valuable connections, and accessing crucial funding opportunities.
It’s worth noting that the AWE program has recently extended its reach to Kenya, offering a free entrepreneurship program designed to nurture and grow businesses. This program spans three months of guided formal training via the Dream Builder platform, followed by three months of mentorship and business linkages. The culmination includes a graduation ceremony, a business planning competition, and an exhibition to celebrate the participants’ hard-earned achievements. Winners of the business plan competition also gain access to seed capital, alongside strategic partners to further bolster their entrepreneurial journey.
