The WIE Symposium, following its successful launch last year will break new ground in Nigeria by bringing together the continent’s stars and emerging young female leaders to empower and inspire the next generation. The WIE Africa will be held on the 3rd of May at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.
Co-founder and CEO, WIE, Dee Poku announced recently that Toyin Saraki, founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Folake Folarin-Coker, founder Tiffany Amber, Mo Abudu, CEO Ebony Life TV, Bola Adesola, CEO Standard Chartered and Julie Gichuru, a television star will co-host the 2nd Annual WIE Africa.
Tiwa Savage, the celebrated Nigerian singer/songwriter will soon be announced as one of 2nd WIE Africa’s speakers. Folorunsho Alakija, the founder of Famfa Oil and Nigeria’s first female billionaire will also speak in a spotlight session, sharing her knowledge on leadership with the ambitious and aspiring crowd the WIE attracts.
When she confirmed, Folorunsho Alakija said, “I am absolutely delighted to be attending the Women Inspiration & Enterprise (WIE) Africa event this year as I am extremely passionate about the empowerment and success of our women in their own rights. The global world is indeed expanding in leaps and bounds and women should not be left behind in this achievement as we have indeed also contributed to this major development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Every woman should be extremely proud of this feat – but more still needs to be done. We need to bridge the gap of leaders in what currently seems a male dominated economy. I look forward to both contributing and listening to other successful female entrepreneurs as we share experiences of what I am sure will be an informative event, motivating and inspiring the next generation.”
Dee Poku said concerning the event, “In this truly exciting second edition of WIE Africa, our mission is to get to the core of how Africa’s talent can both drive development within the continent and have global impact. I’m so thrilled about the incredible caliber of people we’ve managed to attract to the event.”
The day will be fully packed with panels and workshops featuring speakers from the world of politics, business, philanthropy, media, fashion, entertainment and the arts. Topic for discussion include, “Retail Ready: Developing African Labels Into Viable Businesses.”, “The Power of Publishing: Woman’s Role in Shaping Africa’s Media Industry”, “Our Future: What It Means to Empower African Women”, “Afropolitans – The Return Home” and “What can Africapitalism mean for Africa”
WIE (Women: Inspiration and Enterprise) was founded in 2010 and it is a global annual conference that is community designed to empower the next generation of women leaders. WIE Africa is timed to coincide with the World Economic Forum Africa and will present women taking a central role in shaping the Africa of tomorrow. WIE Africa aims to contribute to changing any negative perceptions of Africa as a whole by showcasing successful African women and innovation.
Previous WIE Symposiums in London, New York and Cape Town have had recognizable thought-leaders from around the world including Graca Machel, Nancy Pelosi, Iman, Sarah Brown, Donna Karan, Ariana Huffington, Cherie Blair, Jill Biden, Diane von Furstenberg, Baroness Valerie Amos, Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Ted Turner, Dambisa Moyo, Tamara Mellon, Tyra Banks, Christy Turlington, Nick Clegg, Geena Davis and Aerin Lauder to name a few.
