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In this interview, Irene Ochem, Founder and CEO, Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), speaks on her vision, work, and impact in promoting the empowerment of African women entrepreneurs. She spoke with Jide Akintunde, Managing Editor, Financial Nigeria publications.

Jide Akintunde (JA): By focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship as the centerpiece of women empowerment, AWIEF takes the advocacy for gender equity beyond the social realm. What was your original vision and motivation for founding AWIEF?

Irene Ochem (IO): Africa remains a place for optimism. Sustained progress in wealth creation and inclusive prosperity is within our grasp. To realise this vision, there is need for Africa to mobilise, empower, develop, recognise, and make full use of the skills and talents of all its people, including women, to transform its economy.

Women are powerful actors as business owners and business leaders, as corporate professionals, creating opportunities for other people and lifting their families and communities out of poverty. With equal opportunities and equal consideration from society, we would see positive economic change in Africa.

Yes, AWIEF has taken the advocacy for gender equity beyond the social realm. My vision and motivation for founding AWIEF in 2015 stemmed from the reality that inclusive entrepreneurship needs to be fostered because it makes economic sense. Maintaining a focus on women empowerment in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship is very key and important as it invariably contributes significantly to the socio-economic wellbeing of all. Women are more active as economic agents in Africa than anywhere else in the world. Think of the many market women around African communities, women trading at African borders in informal settings.

Female entrepreneurship has the potential to not only provide goods and services but also, as entrepreneurs, women create employment, contribute to financial and social support for their families, communities, and more broadly, Africa’s GDP.

Achieving women economic empowerment would invariably help to address all the other gender inequities and gaps in our society.


Irene Ochem on the front cover of Financial Nigeria magazine, October 2024 edition

JA: The aspiration for gender equity is universal, but the pathways to it may differ from country to country, and from one community to the other. Given the pan-African scope of the work you’re doing at the Forum, are there issues that are specific to each country or region in Africa in promoting gender equity and women empowerment on the continent?

IO: Indeed, the journey toward gender equity in Africa is influenced by the specific social, cultural, and economic context of each country and region. In North Africa, for example, societal and cultural norms often limit women's participation in entrepreneurship, and thus, advocacy efforts must focus heavily on challenging those norms. In East and West Africa, access to financing is a major hurdle, especially for women in rural areas. The Southern African region, although advanced in certain areas of women's rights, still sees women entrepreneurs facing high barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries like mining, energy, and technology.

At the country level, there are African countries where women have attained very high positions both in politics and the corporate world whereas there are other countries where women are denied even basic education. Countries such as Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa, and Mozambique are confirmed trailblazers in gender equality, women empowerment, and entrepreneurship support.  

However, what unifies these diverse regions is the common need for increased access to resources, education, and capital for women entrepreneurs. At AWIEF, we take a multi-faceted approach that addresses the unique challenges of each region while also fostering a pan-African network that allows for the exchange of best practices across borders.

JA: It is nine years since you launched the annual AWIEF Conference and Awards. What are the themes the conference and awards focus on, the values they promote, and how do they reflect changing priorities in women's entrepreneurship in Africa?

IO: Over the past nine years, the AWIEF Conference and Awards have evolved to mirror the changing landscape of women's entrepreneurship in Africa. Each year, we select themes that address both current challenges and future opportunities. In the past, we’ve focused on themes like innovation, sustainable growth, and women’s leadership. These themes were aimed at empowering women to not only start businesses but also scale them to create impactful change within their communities and beyond.

The values we promote through the conference are resilience, collaboration, and innovation. We believe that African women entrepreneurs have the strength to drive economic growth and societal change, and our conference is a platform for them to gain the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to do so. As the global economy shifts towards technology and climate resilience, we’ve introduced topics like digitalisation and digital transformation, sustainability, climate action, and financial inclusion, which are crucial for the next wave of African women entrepreneurs to harness opportunities as well as leverage the ever-burgeoning digital economy.

JA: The 2024 conference comes up on 28 – 29 November, in Cape Town, South Africa. What are the key points of attraction and expected outcomes for prospective participants at the event?

IO: AWIEF2024 will be an exciting and pivotal event for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, economic growth, and sustainable development in Africa. One of the main attractions this year is the diverse lineup of speakers and sessions focused on actionable strategies for business growth in a digital and climate-conscious era. We’ll also have an exciting exhibition where entrepreneurs can showcase their businesses and connect with potential partners and investors. Development partners, corporates, and government agencies can showcase their gender-focused initiatives and solutions.

The theme for AWIEF2024, “Future for All: Collaborate for Growth, Solve Inequity, Act on Climate”, indicates that, as usual, the conference will delve into the topical African and global issues that still hinder and limit female entrepreneurship from achieving its full potential.

Key outcomes we expect include the formation of new partnerships, access to funding opportunities, and practical insights into how women-led businesses can scale sustainably. Participants will leave the conference not only with enhanced knowledge and networks but also with tangible opportunities for collaboration and growth. This year’s conference will also emphasise leadership and collaboration across industries, reflecting our commitment to fostering a holistic, inclusive approach to economic empowerment.

The AWIEF Awards, on 29 November, will celebrate excellence in African female entrepreneurship in a glamorous awards ceremony and gala dinner.

Cape Town is a very beautiful and scenic city, one of the most visited tourist cities in Africa and globally. It offers lots of iconic attractions for participants to indulge themselves through either pre- or post-conference tours.

JA: Remarkably, AWIEF as a platform for development is cross-gender. Why is it necessary for men to actively identify with and support women economic – or business – empowerment?

IO: At AWIEF, we strongly believe that the women agenda and discourse cannot be driven in isolation of men’s buy in and active participation. From our programming and learnings, we have seen that female entrepreneurship attains higher sustainable success when it has the component of male support. Globally, women represent a huge untapped potential of economic prosperity and societal wellbeing. Several studies have affirmed that involving women in global business would add several trillions of US dollars to the global economy. Doesn’t our world need this input? The input of men and women should be complementary to each other to enhance overall economic growth and sustainability.

JA: AWIEF also promotes specific initiatives, ranging from access to finance and investment opportunities, technology adoption, and business environment improvement for African women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses, in partnership with development partners and governmental institutions – at the supranational, national, and community levels. Would you like to highlight a few of these programmes and initiatives for their actual and symbolic importance?

IO: One of our flagship initiatives is the AWIEF Growth Accelerator, an investment readiness programme which supports early-stage women entrepreneurs with tailored business support services and access to finance. This initiative is critical as many women-owned businesses struggle to scale due to a lack of funding and capacity-building opportunities. The Growth Accelerator addresses this by linking participants to mentors, investors, and markets. Launched since 2017, we have partnered with Nedbank, African Development Bank and more recently with Victoria’s Secret on this programme.

With grant funding from the U.S. Department of State and in partnership with the U.S. Mission to South Africa, we also run the AWE (Academy for Women Entrepreneurs), which is active in Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa. This programme focuses on entrepreneurial education, providing women with the skills and knowledge to start and scale their businesses. It serves as a crucial steppingstone for women entrepreneurs to become more competitive in the marketplace and foster long-term business growth.

Another programme worth mentioning is WITH: Boosting Women Entrepreneurship in Tourism and Hospitality, and co-funded by the European Union. WITH is an AWIEF initiative focused on advancing women’s participation and leadership in the tourism and hospitality industries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to identify and address the barriers women face in these sectors, which are critical for economic growth, especially in regions where tourism plays a significant role. The programme fosters collaboration between key stakeholders and works toward gender-inclusive policies to empower women in tourism and hospitality.

JA: What impacts have the AWIEF Conference and your other initiatives made or catalysed over the years, and how are they important to you?

IO: Over the years, AWIEF has significantly impacted the lives of thousands of women entrepreneurs. Our capacity building programmes have directly supported over 5,000 women-led businesses across Africa, with many of them scaling up and creating jobs within their communities. One of the impacts I am most proud of is the growing network of women entrepreneurs who are not only building successful businesses but are also driving societal change by mentoring the next generation of female leaders.

Our convenings, in particular the annual AWIEF Conference and Awards, have catalysed strategic partnerships, helped raise funding for women-owned businesses, and provided a platform for policymakers, development organisations, and businesses to engage in impactful dialogue and work together on gender-inclusive solutions. For me personally, seeing the tangible changes in the lives of these women, and knowing that AWIEF played a role in that, is deeply fulfilling.

JA: Multiple crises, including bad governance, macroeconomic instability, the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and climate change, are threatening decades of progress in development in Africa. This is part of the reason the UN says the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. What are your thoughts on how to reenact sustainable progress on the continent?

IO: The challenges facing Africa are indeed significant, but they also present an opportunity for us to rethink how we approach sustainable development, particularly in the context of gender equality. The key to reenacting progress on the continent lies in embracing a more holistic and inclusive approach that puts women at the centre of economic recovery and growth.

One critical area is governance. We need strong, transparent governance frameworks that prioritise gender-responsive policies, ensuring that women have equal access to decision-making platforms and resources. If women are included in the leadership and policy formulation processes, there will be a greater focus on the issues that directly impact them, from access to finance to social protections.

Furthermore, addressing the macroeconomic instability that many African countries face requires innovative financial models that go beyond traditional banking systems. We need to promote financial inclusion through digital technologies, impact, and innovative gender-lens, investing to ensure that women, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, have access to the capital they need to grow their businesses.

Climate change poses another significant challenge. Women are disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters, especially in sectors like agriculture where they are the majority of the workforce. To reenact progress, we need to prioritise climate resilience by empowering women to be key actors in climate action. This includes investing in women-led, climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy initiatives, which can create sustainable livelihoods while addressing environmental challenges.

Finally, we must leverage the digital economy. The after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic showed us the power of digital tools in keeping businesses afloat. We must now accelerate women’s access to digital education and technology, ensuring they are not left behind in the digital revolution. By equipping women with these tools, we not only build their resilience but also drive their participation in Africa’s future economic transformation.

In summary, to reenact sustainable progress on the continent, we must combine good governance, innovative financial models, climate resilience, and digital inclusion, with a strong focus on empowering women. Only through such an integrated approach can we hope to achieve gender equality and long-term development in Africa.

JA: How do you reflect on your work and relax away from it?

IO: My work excites me. As Oprah Winfrey says, “Passion is energy – feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” However, I am ever mindful of self-care. I am mindful to create a balance of work and self-care, and this includes asking for help. I practice yoga, I read, and I travel. When I look after this balance, I stay focused and motivated.