The 28th annual Forbes World’s Billionaires list for 2014 has 1,645 billionaires worldwide with only 172 women. Though low, it is an increase from a number of 138 in 2013 and 104 in 2012.
What is happening to the womenfolk in business?
Cultural barriers are one of the key factors affecting entrepreneurial growth among women in Africa. This has changed in recent times with enlightenment and increasing numbers of women becoming breadwinners in society.
Women have begun to understand the value of networking and maintaining formal and informal mutual relationships with people whose friendships will offer numerous advantages in business and jobs, e.g. trade associations, charity organizations and church organizations.
Why is it important to network?
Entrepreneurship is a journey of repeated steps and women are communal in nature; women can relate with other women based on experience and gender. Who can understand post-traumatic stress after childbirth more than a woman who has been through the same? Who can explain how to juggle a career and manage three kids better than a woman?
The benefits of networking for women include;
-Sharing a net wealth of knowledge, experience and contacts through meetings and workshops
-Access to specialized advice such as legally and financially related
-Building strategic partnerships
-Stimulating creativity
-Having a support group
An example of a lucrative networking organization is the RegCharles Female Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Network (RFEEN), a business group for women entrepreneurs to provide capacity building, networking, access to finance, markets and information, advisory services as well as relevant learning resources.
RFEEN will be holding an event called the Female CEOs Roundtable, which will be a high energy hub for leading women entrepreneurs to network, engage and drive value exchange for Nigerian businesses. The event will be themed “Women-owned Businesses in Nigeria: Enhancing Partnerships for Success”, and it will be an interactive and issue-based business forum for women entrepreneurs and SME owners with a purpose to create a melting point for learning, institutional engagement and collaboration.
It will feature panel sessions with inspiring entrepreneurs like Ibukun Awosika, CEO, Chair Center, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande of LCCI, Joke Silva, Actress and Director, Lufodo Academy, Yinka Adedayo, CEO of Tastee Fried Chicken, Bisola Longe, CEO, Human Capacity Development Consultants, Iyadunni Olumide, ED, LEAP Africa, Sandra Aguebor- Ekperuoh, Founder, Lady Mechanic Initiative, Jeanne Nnoli, CEO at Metro Woman, Amaka Ofili, Vice President, Purchasing at Dealdey, Genevieve Mbama of Oracle Corporation, amongst others.
For more information on the round table, visit http://www.regcharlesfoundation.org
