Uncategorized

Lagos, Nigeria – August 18, 2025 — Building on a previously funded initiative under the Innovation Fund, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) has once again partnered with the Women in Digital Business (WIDB) program, an initiative sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and Microsoft, to expand the reach and impact of digital training for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. In this new and extended phase, the program takes a dual-cohort approach, running two impactful training streams simultaneously. Cohort 1 focuses on Training of Trainers (ToT), equipping 100 trainers with advanced digital business skills and pedagogical tools to empower others in their communities. Cohort 2 is currently reaching over 100 women entrepreneurs in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State. This builds on the momentum of a successful pilot session conducted in Ikorodu, where participating entrepreneurs reported significant improvements in their business outlook and digital confidence under the Training of Women Entrepreneurs of the initiative. “We are proud to be part of a global initiative that puts actionable tools in the hands of women entrepreneurs; and we are excited on the recognition by the Women In Digital Business (WIDB) as an Institutional partner on the laudable initiative,” said NNEW President, Mrs. Adefunke Kuyoro. “As the world rapidly evolves, digital skills are not a luxury,they are essential for business resilience and competitiveness. More importantly, the future of business is digital, and with partners like these, we are empowering women not just to survive, but to lead and innovate.” The training program is designed to equip women entrepreneurs with essential digital business skills needed to grow their businesses, expand their market reach, and navigate today’s digital economy. The comprehensive curriculum includes modules on: Digital transformation strategy, Building an effective online presence, Selling products and services online, Digitizing business operations and processes and Developing action plans for practical implementation “Through this digital training, we are helping entrepreneurs move from survival to scalability, enabling them to tap into wider markets and position their businesses for long-term success.” said Eniola Mayowa, Publicity Secretary, NNEW. “Thanks to the continued support from ILO, ITC, and Microsoft, we are scaling the impact, empowering a new generation of trainers while directly equipping more entrepreneurs with practical skills to thrive in the digital economy”. The training, scheduled to continue through September 2025, aims to empower over 500 women, providing them with essential skills to navigate and excel in today’s digital landscape. As NNEW continues to expand its footprint in empowering women through innovation, these initiatives serve as a beacon of hope and progress for female entrepreneurs nationwide. Women In Digital Business combines global expertise and local impact, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on guidance to help participants develop customized digitalization plans tailored to their business goals. Now, with this expanded partnership, NNEW is solidifying its role as a leading force in championing digital inclusion for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. About the Partners NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) is a dynamic Network of women entrepreneurs committed to promoting economic empowerment, leadership, and sustainable business practices through advocacy, training, and networking. Women in Digital Business (WIDB) is a global program supporting women entrepreneurs with knowledge and tools for digital transformation. The initiative is jointly supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and Microsoft. Together, these partners are fostering an inclusive digital future where women-led businesses can innovate, grow, and lead at local and global levels. WIDB Training held in some venues in Lagos

NNEW proudly participated in the European Union Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) Appraisal Mission Roundtable on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Victoria Island, Lagos. The roundtable, convened by GIZ/DTC Nigeria, provided a platform for Civil Society Organisations and Women’s Rights Organisations to engage with the EU Evaluation Team, sharing perspectives on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, driving a fair and inclusive digital transition, and strengthening the green transition in Nigeria. Alongside ActionAid Nigeria, eHealth Africa, and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), NNEW amplified women’s voices and shared insights on how digital inclusion and sustainable development can shape future policies and practices, drawing from the Women in Digital Business (WIDB) program. The WIDB initiative, sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and Microsoft, seeks to expand access to digital training for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. NNEW is officially recognized as an ILO WIDB Innovation Project Partner This engagement reinforces NNEW’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and empowering women in the evolving digital and green economy.

NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), in partnership with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), has empowered 50 female petty traders at Mile 12 International Market, Lagos through targeted skills and business training under the Market Women Empowerment Program. This impactful collaboration is now featured in The Guardian! 📰 Click The Guardian to read the full coverage. #WomenEmpowerment #NNEWImpact #MarketWomen #dRPC #EntrepreneurshipForAll #NNEWAt20 #WeRiseByLiftingOthers

Sessions covered business skills and health awareness, culminating in 25 traders receiving ₦100,000 grants each. This initiative aims to uplift vulnerable women by fostering economic resilience and community support. Key speakers highlighted the importance of female empowerment in informal markets. The event included health checks and advocacy on gender-based violence. Participants expressed optimism for future growth and sustainability. Click here to see LTV report on the empowerment.

The Ruby Summit 2025 was a vibrant and impactful gathering organized by the NNEW Lagos Chapter to explore and elevate the role of young women entrepreneurs in building thriving communities. The event featured keynote speeches, engaging plenary sessions, and panel discussions with accomplished speakers and thought leaders across business, leadership, and development sectors. The programme opened with a warm welcome by Dr. (Mrs.) Ekaete Aniekan Etiebet, Chairperson of NNEW Lagos Chapter, followed by an inspiring keynote address from Alhaja Rainat Ajibike Onigbanjo, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She emphasized how women entrepreneurs are critical to shaping resilient and inclusive communities. Participants gained valuable insights from plenary sessions led by Mr. Seyi Abolaji, Olayemi Gbadebo-Seriki, Ifesanya Oluwatoyin, and Dr. Olayinka Jibono, covering topics such as leadership, ethical business practices, and innovative approaches to entrepreneurship. A lively panel session moderated by Dcns. Uloma Nkemakolam featured top women leaders sharing their journeys and lessons in business and social impact. Game Time Highlight A fun and engaging segment of the event was Game Time, where five participants were tasked with writing, word for word, one sentence from each speaker and panelist during the summit. The activity drew excitement and sharp attention from attendees. At the end of the game, two winners emerged: one received a blender, and the other went home with a sandwich maker. It was a creative way to reinforce learning and participation. Appreciation The success of the summit would not have been possible without the support of our members and sponsors. We deeply appreciate everyone who contributed in cash and kind, and especially those who attended in person. Your presence and generosity added great value to the experience. As we continue to champion the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, we look forward to more enriching engagements like this.

The NNEW Academy recently hosted a dynamic two-day training session titled “Pitch to Profit” — a powerful workshop designed to help women entrepreneurs master the art of persuasive pitching and unlock new funding opportunities for their businesses. Held on June 26–27, 2025, the event delivered practical insights, tools, and confidence-boosting experiences for participants ready to position their businesses for growth. Day 1: Pitching with Purpose, Power, and Profit The first day of the training was facilitated by Mrs. Fayo Williams, Managing Director/CEO of Simply Exponential, who guided participants through the fundamentals of pitching and its critical role in business growth and funding acquisition. Key highlights from the session included: A clear definition and purpose of a pitch Understanding the different objectives of pitching — whether to secure investment, gain project approval, build partnerships, promote services, or showcase innovation Identifying the right moments to pitch and why timing can make or break opportunities A comprehensive guide on creating an effective pitch deck Insights into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming business storytelling and pitch preparation The day concluded with an interactive practice session, where entrepreneurs tested their pitches in a supportive environment, receiving feedback and encouragement from peers and facilitators. Day 2: From Pitching to Funding Opportunities Day 2 began with a recap of the lessons from Day 1 before moving into a focused session on accessing funding opportunities. The participants gained practical knowledge on: How to find and identify reliable grant sources The importance of research, readiness, and strategic alignment in grant applications Trusted platforms and portals for real-time funding opportunities How to position their businesses for investor appeal, scalability, and impact The highlight of the day was an engaging mock pitch session before a panel of experienced investors and business experts. Each participant had the opportunity to pitch their business idea or project and received personalized feedback on how to refine and improve their presentations. The experience was both educational and transformational, equipping women entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence, and clarity to pitch effectively and attract the funding their businesses need to grow. Commitment to Entrepreneurial Growth NNEW Academy expressed pride in the resilience and boldness of every participant who showed up, pitched with courage, and embraced the learning process. Special appreciation was extended to Mrs. Fayo Williams and the panel of experts who added immense value through their teaching, guidance, and feedback. As always, NNEW Academy remains dedicated to empowering African women entrepreneurs with relevant, actionable knowledge and opportunities for business development. To view highlights from the training, visit: Day 1 Highlights Day 2 Highlights #PitchToProfit #NNEWAcademy #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurTraining #FundingReady #InvestorPitching #ConfidenceInBusiness #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurshipDevelopment

https://nnew.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Day-2-Conclusion-of-Run-Like-Clockwork-The-SOP-Manual-for-Serious-Entrepreneurs.mp4 NNEW Academy Empowers Entrepreneurs with SOP Masterclass: “Run Like Clockwork” The NNEW Academy recently hosted a transformative two-day training session themed “Run Like Clockwork: The SOP Manual for Serious Entrepreneurs”, aimed at equipping business owners with the systems and tools needed to build scalable, sustainable enterprises. The workshop, held on June 17–18, 2025, brought together passionate entrepreneurs eager to shift from hustle-driven operations to system-led business management. Day 1: Systems Over Hustle The training kicked off with an insightful session facilitated by Mrs. Adefunke Kuyoro, President of NNEW and CEO of TWC Event Services. Mrs. Kuyoro shared invaluable lessons from her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of building systems as the foundation for business growth. Participants explored: The value of systems thinking in business How to identify and map out core business processes The critical mindset shift from working in the business to working on the business Real-life examples of businesses successfully running on structured SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) The atmosphere was dynamic and engaging, filled with enlightening discussions, personal reflections, and actionable insights that left participants inspired and empowered.   Day 2: Practical Tools for Sustainable Growth The workshop concluded with a powerful session led by Dr. Oluwayemisi Adeyeye, Managing Director of Lifefount Hospitals. Dr. Adeyeye deepened the conversation on creating functional SOPs, introducing participants to the 4 Ps of SOP and practical pathways to achieving Productivity, Profit, and Peace of Mind in their businesses. Key highlights included: Emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to adopt a systems-driven leadership mindset Detailed breakdown of the 4 Ps of SOP Practical exercises where participants drafted and reviewed their own SOP documents Demonstrations of how documented processes can improve delegation, reduce operational errors, and free up the entrepreneur’s time for strategic growth initiatives The session was highly interactive, with attendees sharing experiences, receiving real-time feedback, and gaining access to templates and tools to continue building their SOP manuals beyond the training. Commitment to Entrepreneurial Excellence At the close of the event, participants expressed appreciation for the depth of knowledge shared and the practical nature of the sessions. Both facilitators were praised for delivering impactful, actionable content that will undoubtedly influence the way businesses are structured going forward. NNEW Academy reaffirmed its commitment to helping African women entrepreneurs build smarter, stronger, and systemized businesses capable of thriving in any economic climate. To catch highlights from the training, visit: View Instagram Reel #RunLikeClockwork #SOPTraining #WomenInBusiness #BusinessSystems #NNEWAcademy #EntrepreneurshipDevelopment  

The International Women’s day NNEW Ogun state chapter, was held on the 22/3/2025 at Crown fit cafe, off Adigbe Road, Abeokuta, in Ogun state. The program started at 10:40 am with members and guests in attendance. The opening prayer was led by Pastor (Mrs)Ojerinde Olayinka. Members and guests made self- introductions and we had women from different business areas ranging from Agribusiness, Fashion and Creativity, Real estate, Hospitality and Education, among other Our Main speaker was Mrs Edobong Akpabio, the Chairman, NNEW Governing Council. She spoke on this year’s theme “Accelerate Action”. She emphasized the urgency to take action concerning women’s ability to work, inequalities faced by women and many more. She mentioned that continuous action should be taken against female genital mutilation, stating the sad reality of women being key players in implementation of this cultural and traditional practice that doesn’t align with new realities. She charged women to take accelerated action in specific areas: Self: women need to make more effort in the aspects of their goals, vision, and dreams. Accelerate other women: women should support other women and uphold each other through empathy, trust and solidarity. Serving other women: The NNEW platform is a platform to serve other women, to celebrate and push women to the top. She charged women not be impediments to other women but to join like minded groups that drive advocacy for women issues. She concluded by making this profound call, for women to “Be the ladder of success for other women to follow, remove barriers for other women, accept yourself and be confident. Learn from other women, grow with other people and aim to impact others” Together let us accelerate more action”. Our GEM, Mrs. Olusola Sowemimo of Ope farms(a.k.a, Sisi mi), also contributed to the speaker’s talk by encouraging women to identify women that have impacted and influenced our lives in our life’s journey and reach out to them, letting them know you appreciate their efforts. The Chairperson Ogun state chapter delivered her message about the impact of joining the association, giving examples of success stories of women who have joined. She emphasized on the core value of NECA which is POISE. P= Professionalism, O= Opportunity, I = Integrity, S= Services, E=Excellence. The treasurer Mrs Fausat, our Chapter’s Supervisor, from National Executive, shared how she joined the association and how she has benefited from other women. She charged women to network, share the issues they are facing with other women and aim to serve others. The exhibition stand was inspected by the main speakers and members. The sector and head of sectors were introduced by IPCP. The following were announced has sector heads: Mrs Olawunm Ekundayo, for Education sector Mrs Oluwatosin Aishat Issa, for Fashion,textile and garment Mrs Adekemi Onatade for Agribusiness Mrs Olayinka Ojerinde for  Real Estate Mrs Abimbola Adeyemi for Hospitality. The Chapter chose to start out with/revive these five Industry sectors, after identifying skilled players and experts, in those sectors. More sectors will be inaugurated, as we grow and identify more experts. There was a fun side, of celebrating our first quarter (January -March) Celebrants with a sumptuous cake that was magnanimously donated by our immediate past Chairperson, Mrs Iyabode Oniyide. Financial report was given by the Financial secretary, Mrs Rukayat Fayomi and it was shared that NNEW will be 20 yrs this year and the women should be anticipating the anniversary program. New members were informed of the statutory membership fees and annual subscription. The Vice chairperson gave the closing remarks, thanking everyone present for the program and sharing her key takeaways from the program. The closing prayer was shared by the Head of Sector, Fashion, Textile and garments,  Mrs Oluwatosin Aishat Issa. Nineteen (19) members made the meeting though we planned for 25 persons(at least). Three guests were present and indicated interest to join the network. Meanwhile, three prospects from our last program – “Valentine Special”, become full members through full membership and annual subscription payments. Feelers from the meeting were very encouraging as it raised the enthusiasm of members to become more committed and proactive while spurring the visitors to belong. The visitors details have been added to our NNEW Ogun state chapter Prospects platform. The session of the Main Speaker was streamed via zoom, provided by the Secretariat but sadly not recorded, due to exhausted storage.

https://youtu.be/-sPeKhGG7QQ Courtesy – News Central TV

Women entrepreneurs and business leaders have called for urgent and sustained action to promote the rights, empowerment, and economic inclusion of women and girls in Nigeria. Speaking at an International Women’s Day event themed ‘Accelerate Action’, the NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women, in collaboration with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria, emphasised the need for bold steps to address gender inequities in business and leadership. Speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wema Bank, Dr Oluwayemisi Olorunshola, highlighted the importance of proactive steps toward gender equity. “Taking action means you cannot sit in one place. You have to move, take that step, and work toward your vision. Excuses are not valid—there are many financial institutions and resources available for women entrepreneurs. Approach them, ask questions, and take bold steps to achieve your goals,” Olorunshola stated. Similarly, the Divisional Head of Corporate Banking at Providus Bank, Mrs Olufunke Jones, said, “Acceleration means moving forward, and action means doing something. Every day presents an opportunity to take a step toward your destination. Even when faced with rejection, don’t stop seeking networks, collaborations, and advice. Growth happens when you nurture the seed of your dreams.” Stakeholders at the event highlighted the financial challenges women face in business. According to Jones, only 12 per cent of available global funding goes to women-led businesses, largely due to unconscious gender biases. She stressed the need for women to explore alternative funding sources, including peer-to-peer lending, grants, microfinance banks, and savings. “Women need to prioritise savings over immediate gratification. Develop a habit of deferring luxury and saving towards business growth. Impact funding and development-focused investment are key to supporting women entrepreneurs,” Jones added. On her part, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said, “If you want an elected position, start from your ward. Be visible, participate in constituency projects, and build networks within your party. Women must work twice as hard, but collaboration with men is essential. Politics is about mentorship, strategy, and resilience.” Ogunyemi further advocated more inclusive political structures, including scheduling meetings at reasonable hours to accommodate female participants. The United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong, noted that while government budget allocations for women’s empowerment exist, fund release remains a major challenge. “Gender-responsive budgeting and innovative financial solutions, such as gender bonds, are needed to drive real change,” she stated. Also, the NNEW president, Mrs Adefunke Kuyoro, said, “The world and economy have changed; women must step up. It is no longer just men bringing bread to the table. Women must break barriers, make their voices heard, and ensure progress is not reversed.” The chairperson for IWD 2025, Deaconess Appolonia Nwanafio, said, “Women have immense potential, but fear holds many back. Speak up, network, and support each other. There is so much within us to contribute to society.”   Courtesy – Punch Newspaper