Obiageli Ezekwesili, Ndidi Nwuneli and Others Anchor Talks at Day 1 of AWIEF Conference

ICO Conferences and Events, in partnership with Connectnigeria.com, International Women’s Society, LEAP Africa, Diamond Bank Woman, General Electric and other prominent bodies, is currently hosting the 2015 Africa Women Investors and Entrepreneurs Forum. Founded by Irene Ochem, the ongoing forum was organised to kick start conversations and debates on issues affecting women entrepreneurs in Africa. Day 1 of the conference featured an all-woman panel, with a diverse array of leaders as panelists and speakers: Former Minister of Nigeria and Vice President,  World Bank (Africa Region), Obiageli Ezekwesili; Deputy UN Women Representative to Nigerian and ECOWAS, Adjaratou Ndiaye; Secretary General, Africa Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, Lucia Quachey; Founder, LEAP Africa and Director, Sahel Africa, Ndidi Nwuneli; Managing Director, JUMIA Nigeria, Fatoumata Ba among others. In a keynote address, Ezekwesili discussed the imperative to empower and educate the girl child in order to secure Africa’s future socio-economic progress. “Africa can only progress when it recognises that its citizens, not oil, or copper… are the premium assets of the continent,” she stated. She also cited that nations with high emphasis on human development tend to perform better economically than their counterparts, highlighting the value of education of both sexes in guaranteeing this progress. Quachey challenged African women entrepreneurs to take their businesses up to export level and to recognise and maximise their God-given potential. “Women are very creative and innovative people,” she said. “That’s how God created us… [as] very dynamic, strong.” Additionally, Nwuneli listed out challenges to successful entrepreneurship of African women including limited vision, inadequate financial discipline, skills and access to finance among others. Attendees were encouraged to acquire skills and purposefully function as change agents in the society. Day 2 of 2015 AWIEF holds today at the same venue and will conclude the event which officially commenced Monday September 7, with a pre-conference workshop on ethical leadership and strategic management and marketing.          

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This article was first published on 9th September 2015

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