TELL Magazine

Women of West Africa Entrepreneurship Festival, WoWe, the only trade show bringing together local and international entrepreneurs, brand ambassadors and stakeholders of Nigeria’s dynamic entrepreneurship landscape held its 2015 edition at the landmark centre, Lagos on June 25 and 26.
The third edition festival had the theme turning, “Vision to Reality” which focuses on the following areas: Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing, Financing, People Management, Exports and Creative Industries.
The conference began with an opening session with Chude Jideonwo, Co-Founder of Red Media who urged Women Entrepreneurs to be determined, courageous and resolute, in their quest for creating valuable businesses.
“In Nigeria, great things can be achieved, what matters is where you are going. I am a living testimony that in Nigeria, with hope and determination you can achieve great things despite challenges.
“To survive in a difficult economic terrain like Nigeria, you need joy. Joy is a critical element for successful businesses and harped on the need for businesses to focus on products that connect with the people,” he said.
Highlights of the opening session, was a panel that discussed “Turning Vision to Reality,” it was an avenue for leading entrepreneurs and financial market stakeholders to share their perspective on turning ideas to viable businesses. It featured Kemi Lala, Nollywood Actress, Lere Baale, Seun Abolaji; CEO Wilson Juice, Wura Abiola; Business Consultant, Foluke Aboderin; Director, Ecobank and Jolon Okorodudu; Ecobank Director.
Tori Abiola, founder of WoWe, while talking about the event, said she is always intrigued when she meets women doing exploits, breaking barriers, doing the seemingly impossible tasks and daring to soar where eagles feared.
“The WOWe Festival is an opportunity for female entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs (corporate professional women with entrepreneurial ambitions) to secure practical information on how to transform their businesses and realise their entrepreneurial ambitions,” she said.
The conference provided a uniquely professional and centralised platform to tackle the challenges, opportunities and solution driven strategies that will move African economies up the value chain.
WoWe was hosted by Montgomery West Africa.