The United States Consulate General in Lagos has launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a State Department-led initiative that supports women entrepreneurs around the world.
A diverse group of 100 women selected from a pool of over 6,000 applicants are expected to receive lessons on business management, network with like-minded entrepreneurs, mentors as well as learn the practical skills required to create successful and sustainable businesses during a week-long program.
The AWE is a component of the White House Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, designed to empower women worldwide to fulfill their economic potential, thereby creating conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all.
Declaring the workshop open, the U.S. Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, said that the goal of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is to teach women around the world to become successful entrepreneurs; noting that women’s empowerment is key to Nigeria’s long-term economic development.
While she described the role of women as crucial for the progress of national economies; she stated that women are the backbone of society.