WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATES IN WEF AFRICA EVENT IN NIGERIA

On May 8, 2014, WEConnect International in collaboration with the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, UN Women, the Ministry of Finance, WIMBIZ, the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund, Access Bank and P&G, hosted a World Economic Forum Africa (“WEF Africa”) side event on Gender in Abuja, Nigeria.

Following the WEF Africa’s theme “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs” and to further showcase the critical role women play in job creation and economic growth, the event presented an overview of the impact resulting from inclusive growth, the business case for investments in women, case studies on corporations that have seen the commercial benefits of including women suppliers in their value chains, and stories from successful women entrepreneurs who shared the challenges they face and the opportunities they have identified for economic growth across Africa.

Gathering together thought leaders from the public and private sectors, the WEF Africa side event provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate the business case for investing in women in Africa, especially in women entrepreneurs generally and women in agribusiness in particular. WEF Africa also presented a platform to explore and discuss recommendations to be endorsed and implemented by governments and private sector entities operating in Africa for inclusion of women in the region’s growth strategy.