Facebook partners She Leads Africa to support female entrepreneurs

22 Aug 2016, 12:00 am
Financial Nigeria

Summary

She Leads Africa has built a global community of over 100,000 members across Africa and the diaspora.

Yasmin Belo-Osagie, Co-founder, She Leads Africa

Facebook said on Monday that it will sponsor She Leads Africa, an African women’s empowerment enterprise, to enable female entrepreneurs and professionals on the continent and in the diaspora to unlock their full potential.

The sponsorship announcement comes after She Leads Africa held its four-day boot camp programme – called SheHive – at Facebook’s headquarters in London from August 18-21.

“Facebook is where African consumers connect with African entrepreneurs, with millions of people across the continent using our platform to communicate with small businesses each month,” said Akua Gyekye, Public Policy Manager for Africa at Facebook. “Over 60 million businesses are using Facebook to help grow their business and connect with customers. While many of the owners and founders are African women, there should be more. That’s why we are delighted to support She Leads Africa as it enables young African women to connect, learn and share in a supportive and inspirational environment.”

SheHive London featured some of the city’s leading African and diaspora entrepreneurs and business women, who shared insight and advice, as well as lead workshops on how young professional women can build business skills for the future. Some notable speakers included Nieros Oyegun, Principal at W8 Advisory and Imad Mesdoua, Political Analyst at Africa Matters. SheHive will be moving to Johannesburg and Lagos later this year.

“Men dominate the business and corporate landscape in Africa, but we have the opportunity to change things now by nurturing female African entrepreneurs on the continent and in the diaspora,” said Afua Osei, She Leads Africa Co-founder. “As a company that empowers entrepreneurs with tools to tell their brand stories and grow their businesses, Facebook is a perfect partner for us.”

Founded in 2014 by Yasmin Belo-Osagie and Afua Osei, She Leads Africa has built a global community of more than 100,000 members across Africa and the diaspora in just two years. The company operates a three-month accelerator programme designed to identify, support and fund the next generation of Nigerian female entrepreneurs.


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