Communiqué Issued at the End of the 2024 International Women’s Day – WenA Connect

Theme: Inspire Inclusion: Raising Women Leaders in Business
Date: March 8, 2024
Source: Women Enterprise Alliance (WenA)

PREAMBLE

The Women Enterprise Alliance (WenA) hosted the 2024 International Women’s Day – WenA Connect Event on March 8th, 2024. The event provided a platform for female entrepreneurs to share insights and develop strategies to inspire inclusion and raise women leaders in business.

The event brought together 50 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the WenA Community, joined by the esteemed WenA Founder, Her Excellency Aisha Babangida. Distinguished business owners from Northern Nigeria, such as Bimkaf Limited and Jaunty Group, were also in attendance, engaging in conversations to promote women’s leadership in business.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Formation of a Strategic Committee: Establish a committee to develop long-term strategies for SME growth.
• Creation of a Fund for SMEs: Mobilize investors to create dedicated funding options tailored to SME needs. Brainstorm innovative financial mechanisms for entrepreneurs.
• NAFDAC Collaboration:
  • Advocate for supportive partnerships with NAFDAC rather than revenue-driven engagement.
  • Encourage fee reduction and harmonization of NAFDAC processes.
• Policy and Advocacy:
  • Push for improved policies supporting SME growth.
  • Run campaigns to increase appreciation of locally made products and expand market access.
• Promoting Local Products:
  • Explore cooperative retail models like the Swiss co-op to market Nigerian goods.
  • Create quality-focused manufacturing hubs with NAFDAC registration.
  • Support affordable retail and production hubs for entrepreneurs.
• Mentorship and Collaboration:
  • Launch structured mentorship programs to support aspiring business owners.
  • Promote local collaboration among entrepreneurs for sustainable development.

CONCLUSION

The WenA Connect IWD 2024 event succeeded in igniting vital discussions and fostering strategic connections among female-led SMEs in Nigeria. WenA is committed to driving forward the actionable recommendations that emerged from this event to fuel inclusive economic development and entrepreneurship.

APPRECIATION

We sincerely thank all participants, partners, and sponsors for their continued support and contributions to empowering women in business.

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Women Enterprise Alliance (WenA)
90, Aminu Kano Street, Wuse 2, Abuja
www.wena.org.ng
info@wena.org.ng
+234 (0) 908 771 1765 | +234 (0) 703 109 3550