AWE 2019

To promote entrepreneurship and economic growth, U.S. Consulate General Lagos, in partnership with Ascend Studios led by Inya Lawal, an alumna of the Fortune-U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership program, held its inaugural Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) for 100 businesswomen from September 16-21. The Consulate received 6,000+ applications and a selected a diverse group of 100 female entrepreneurs to attend the one-week training, ranging from those with well-established businesses to those just starting out. As a result of the training, the participants formed a strong network, learned from each other’s experiences, and gained new skills to help them take their ventures to the next level. The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, recently launched a fund to provide access to affordable finance for female-owned businesses.  After participating in the AWE, the Trust Fund agreed to allow all of the participants to bypass the normal required training and apply immediately for their financing program. The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library sent a team of volunteers to support the program.. AWE received widespread, positive press coverage.

ABOUT AWE

AWE is a program supporting the development of women entrepreneurs around the world. AWE’s reach extends across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and other regions where promoting women’s economic empowerment is a principal U.S policy priority. AWE was developed to support W-GDP, which is designed to empower women worldwide to fulfill their economic potential, creating conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all. 

AWE provides educational resources for women to engage in U.S-style education with guided facilitation and localization from local alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs, women business leaders, and key interlocutors to ensure small business growth and success. 

AWE is centered around the online training program on women’s entrepreneurship, DreamBuilder, developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport- McMoRan. Through robust networks, AWE supports participants by providing access to peer-to-peer mentorship, business partners, and scaling opportunities with businesses in the region and in the United States. 

The sustainability of AWE’s success is built on the wide ranging and diverse programs tailored to women’s economic empowerment. The positive effects are further amplified by providing access to additional and supplementary opportunities to continue learning and growing AWE participant’s business ideas.