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BAO Exclusive with Irene Ochem on AWIEF2022
AWIEF Founder/CEO, Ms Irene Ochem (Image: Supplied)
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum is heading to North Africa for the first time. The 2022 edition of AWIEF will take place on 26 and 27 September in Cairo, in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation and co-organised by the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association. In this exclusive interview with Alaba Ayinuola, Ms Irene Ochem talks about AWIEF, its impact and AWIEF 2022 conference. Excerpts.
Alaba: To begin, could you briefly tell us about AWIEF, its annual conference and priority on the continent?
Irene: The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum’s goal, simply put, is job creation, wealth creation and economic prosperity across the continent. Our mission is to foster women’s economic inclusion, advancement, and empowerment through entrepreneurship, support and development of micro, small and medium enterprises. This helps drive employment and economic growth.
We are also contributing to facilitating and enhancing intra-Africa trade and leveraging the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). To achieve its objectives, AWIEF offers a range of enterprise development programmes that are tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs in Africa including accelerators, incubation, and other capacity building.
We also host our annual award-winning AWIEF conference, where we gather the best and the brightest from across the government, development, corporate, and entrepreneurship ecosystem for keynotes, interactive industry panel discussions and fireside chats on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, development and trade, finance and investment, energy and infrastructure, climate change and sustainability, and agriculture and food security. The conference gives start-ups, SMEs and professionals a fantastic opportunity to learn from and connect with other industry players from across the African continent and beyond.
Alaba: Tell us more about this year’s conference and awards. What inspired this year’s theme, “Advancing Africa through Gender Integration”?
Irene: AWIEF2022 is a hybrid event which will take place on the 26 and 27 September on-site in Cairo, Egypt and virtually via our online event platform. The theme for this year’s event is inspired by the fact that no conversation about empowerment or entrepreneurship can, or should, exclude either women or men. Gender diversity and inclusion is vital for Africa’s economic growth.
Since its inception in 2015, the annual AWIEF has become Africa’s leading women entrepreneurship conference and awards event, bringing together high-level industry, developmental and business thought leaders, start-ups, and entrepreneurs for dialogue and discussions on issues of economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, investing, technology and innovation in Africa.
Regarding the AWIEF Awards, there are many outstanding women entrepreneurs and businesswomen across Africa who are driving growth, creating opportunities, and positively impacting the continent. In this, our 6th edition of the awards, we are once again enthusiastic to celebrate and shine the spotlight on these inspirational female entrepreneurs and share their stories of excellence and success.
Alaba: AWIEF2022 will take place in Egypt. Why the choice and what’s the catch?
Irene: Egypt is at the forefront of the African entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Hosting AWIEF in a country known for its strong support for women’s economic empowerment and sustainable development is important for us. AWIEF was previously hosted in West Africa in Nigeria in 2015 & 2016, Cape Town (2017, 2018 & 2019). The event was fully virtual in 2020 and in 2021 the in-person conference was in Johannesburg. As a pan-African organisation it made sense to take it to North Africa this year.
Alaba: Who are your main partners and why did you decide to partner with them?
Irene: Last year, H.E. Dr Rania Al-Mashat was a speaker at the AWIEF conference and Egypt’s Ministry of International Co-operation is particularly focused on sustainable development, one of the key thematic areas on the AWIEF2022 agenda.
5). What do you intend to achieve with this year’s conference, and would you like to share some of your speakers?
Irene: We want entrepreneurs to come and learn from industry leaders, connect with potential investors and network with their counterparts from other parts of Africa to share their experiences and then take the lessons home to apply to their businesses.
For C-Suite executives and investors this is an opportunity to grow their network and potentially to connect with their next big project and to learn about new innovations and best practices from other countries.
NGOs and development sector organisations should see this as an opportunity to gain insights into the changing issues confronting the people they serve and learn from the successes and challenges shared by other organisations on the continent.
Our stellar line-up of speakers include:
- H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat – Minister of International Co-operation, Egypt.
- Damilola Ogunbiyi – CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)and Co-Chair of UN Energy.
- Ayoade Alakija – WHO Special Envoy for the ACT-Accelerator, co-Chair of the African Union’s African Vaccine Delivery Alliance.
- Jackie Jones – Director, Gender Equality Division Office of the President & Chief of Staff, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Ahmed Rezk – Deputy UNIDO Representative, Regional Hub in Egypt.
- Patricia Obozuwa – Vice President, Government Affairs, Communications & Sustainability for Africa, The Coca Cola Company.
- Brenda Mbathi – CEO, GE East Africa.
- Juliet Anammah – Chief Sustainability Officer, Jumia Group and Chairwoman, Jumia Nigeria.
- Gielan Elmessiri – Deputy Country Representative, UN Women, Egypt.
- Dolapo Kukoyi – Managing Partner, Detail Commercial Solicitors, NIgeria.
Alaba: AWIEF has really grown and recently launched some fantastic programmes. Tell us about these programmes and how does your organisation measure its impact?
Irene: Simply put, AWIEF’s impact is measured by how the lives of our alumni have changed after completing our programmes. It’s all about changing lives and livelihoods. We have seen more than 3500 graduates from our various programmes. They are growing their businesses, creating jobs and contributing positively to the economy.
Earlier this month, 100 SMEs in nine Southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia, completed the USAID-funded ‘Enhanced Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Investment and Export Readiness Through a Digital Platform’ program.
Our new African Development Bank (AfDB) funded programme “Solutions Catalysing Increased Access to Capital for the Success of Women Entrepreneurs” aims to accelerate efforts to address gender inequality to drive inclusive economic transformation. More than 500 growth-oriented WSMEs across 8 African countries will be supported for scale, access to markets and investment readiness. To date, more than 4 000 applications have been received for this programme.
Alaba: What are your thoughts on gender inclusion in Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem? How much progress have we made?
Irene: A lot of progress has been made, but there is still a lot of work to be done – especially in relation to access to finance for women entrepreneurs, access to markets, skills training and networks.
Alaba: Lastly, what should your audience expect from this year’s event?
Irene: High profile keynotes and interactive panel discussions will cover topics such as the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, climate change & sustainability, creating an enabling environment for MSMEs and SMEs, innovation & technology, intra-Africa trade and the AfCFTA, energy, Infrastructure and industrialization, investment & financial services, health leadership, as well as agriculture & food security.
Come learn more about the latest trends, innovations, opportunities, and initiatives across the African entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, and then continue these vital conversations during our networking sessions, on-site in Cairo, Egypt, or virtually via our online event platform.
Meta recently hosted its first Youth Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together over 200 young professionals, students, recent graduates, creatives, tech enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Themed ‘Empowering Youth Through Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’, the summit included a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, a mentoring session and an interactive workshop designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, insights and networks needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
Commenting about the event, Phil Oduor, Head of Policy Programs, Sub-Saharan Africa said, “At Meta, we believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s change-makers. Through initiatives like the Youth Summit, we aim to foster innovation, promote digital literacy and empower young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities to realise their potential and contribute to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”
Delivering the keynote address, Femi Aluko, CEO/Co-Founder, Chowdeck, shared his journey of breaking barriers to achieve success in tech. He encouraged attendees to embrace the limitless opportunities within today’s technology ecosystem.
A panel discussion, led by Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager at Meta, featured panellists Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack. They shared valuable insights about the future of work, emphasising the importance of storytelling to build a personal brand, practicing self-awareness, developing soft skills, lifelong learning and honing problem-solving skills to thrive in a digitally transformed world.
Francis Sani, Technical Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, spoke at the event. He highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, emphasising that the program aims to build Nigeria’s technical talent backbone to drive the digital economy and position Nigeria as a net talent exporter. He encouraged youth to take advantage of this opportunity.
Another panel of industry experts took the stage during the ‘Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape’ session, moderated by Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta. Seye Bandele, CEO of PaidHR and Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks at Ventures Platform Fund, shared their invaluable insights. Seye highlighted the importance of grit, curiosity and candour, while Damilola reinforced the need to understand one’s target audience, deliver value through their business and embrace data-driven decision-making in the dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
The event also featured inspiring conversations with leading figures in the creative industry. Miss Techy, an award winning tech content creator and Salem King, a creator, storyteller, author and speaker, shared their experiences and advice on achieving long-term success. Attendees also benefited from an interactive workshop and a mentoring session, where industry experts shared practical advice and strategies for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.
Meta’s Youth Summit 2024 highlights a commitment to driving positive change, championing youth empowerment and advancing economic opportunities in Nigeria. Through investments in key areas—such as the creative industry, digital literacy, economic impact and youth job training—Meta is dedicated to empowering young Nigerians to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
Cross-section of some of the attendees at the Meta Youth Summit 2024 in Lagos
L-R: Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager, Meta; Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack.
L-R: Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa, Meta; Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks, Ventures Platform Fund, and Seye Bandele, Chief Executive Officer, PaidHR during the Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape panel session.
Salem King, a creator, storyteller, author and speaker and Miss Techy, an award winning tech content creator
During a mentoring session workshop
Femi Aluko, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Chowdeck.
Francis Sani, Technical Adviser to the minister of communications and digital economy of Nigeria
Novotel Director Sales and Marketing Joesph Kimondo, PR and Marketing Manager Ivy Irungu, General Manager Fabio gonsalves, During the Media Briefing at the hotel (L-R).
Novotel, one of Accor’s flagship brands and a champion of balanced living, is proud to announce the opening of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, Kenya.
Situated in the vibrant Westlands area, the new hotel seamlessly balances moments of adventure, relaxation, business, and pleasure, offering a truly reenergising experience just 20 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Guests can explore multiple attractions with ease such as the Nairobi National Park, modern shopping malls, entertainment spots, the Giraffe Centre, and the Maasai traditional Market. The hotel caters to business travellers and families eager to share quality moments.
Novotel Nairobi Westlands offers 347 stylish rooms and suites, all featuring the brand’s signature design concept by RF Studio, which emphasises adaptability and sustainability, creating a comfortable, modern atmosphere. For business travellers, the hotel offers 13 versatile, intuitive meeting and event spaces, including a ballroom that can host over 100 guests – ideal for conferences, corporate functions, and social gatherings.
For guests seeking relaxation, the hotel’s state-of-the-art spa offers a range of curated signature massage therapies, designed to provide the ultimate rejuvenation experience. Each treatment is crafted to melt away stress and restore balance. For those looking to stay active, the fitness centre provides expert-led individual and group training sessions, offering a mix of tailored workout routines to suit all fitness levels.
“We are excited to introduce Novotel to Nairobi, a city that beautifully blends rich cultural heritage with modern dynamism,” said Fabio Gonsalves, General Manager of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, Kenya. ‘’Our goal is to create a welcoming space for business travelers and families alike, where quality moments lead to a more balanced life. At Novotel Nairobi Westlands, where modern living meets the pulse of cultural fusion, we offer flexible workspaces and relaxed dining options to suit everyone. It’s a place where guests can truly unwind, connect, and leave feeling invigorated.
The hotel’s four distinct dining concepts take guests on a culinary journey. The rooftop Trunk & Tandoor Gastro Bar offers Indian-inspired cuisine paired with breathtaking views of Nairobi’s skyline, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed evening. Gemma’s Italian Kitchen & Bar provides an all-day dining experience with rich Italian flavours in a welcoming atmosphere. Located at the heart of the lobby, the Safari themed Social Hub coffee lounge and bar adds a unique local flair, inviting guests to connect and unwind. For those seeking a more laid-back experience, the rooftop Pool Bar serves light bites and refreshing drinks, perfect for unwinding under the sun while enjoying the stunning panoramic city views.
Whether complementing a safari adventure or enjoying a family getaway, Novotel Nairobi Westlands offers travellers and locals the perfect environment to connect with family, friends, and colleagues and share quality moments.
“With the opening of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to Africa. The hotel offers a gateway to Nairobi’s vibrant experiences and marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy, as we continue to expand our footprint in key markets across the continent while enriching local communities.” said Paul Stevens, Chief Operating Officer Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Middle East & Africa for Accor.
Following a longstanding commitment to support its guests’ pursuit of balance in their lives, Novotel announced a three-year agreement with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to champion the protection and restoration of the world’s oceans, the greatest source of balance for the planet’s climate, through science-based action and conservation projects. Novotel has built a three-year Positive Impact Plan, rooted in three of the United Nations’ priority ocean-related actions, namely: reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification, particularly from land-based activities; fighting overfishing and promoting sustainable fishing models; and increasing scientific knowledge and research for ocean health.
To celebrate the opening, Novotel Nairobi Westlands is offering rates from Kes 20,000, including breakfast. True to the Novotel Family Promise, up to two children under 16 can stay for free in their parents’ room.
Members of the brand’s ALL loyalty programme, can unlock 4X Reward Points when booking on all.com until 24/11/2024, for stays up until 12/01/2025. Guests can join the loyalty programme for free and earn points towards a number of benefits, including free hotel stays.
Novotel Nairobi Westlands is Safe Hotels Certified, ensuring our guests peace of mind with globally recognized safety standards. This certification highlights our commitment to a secure, comfortable, and welcoming stay.
FOO, the award-winning B2B Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions provider, has partnered with eNovate (formerly known as eCards), Egypt’s premier provider of cutting-edge digital payment solutions, to build upon eNovate’s existing portfolio of products and services.
eNovate is an independent subsidiary of eFinance Investment Group (EFIG), Egypt’s leading investment management firm. Originally established in 2009 as EFIG’s card services division, it has since evolved to deliver comprehensive, integrated digital payment solutions for a range of clients, including fintechs and financial institutions; ministries and governmental entities; transportation authorities; and NGOs.
With more than 55 million cards issued to date, and millions of transactions processed annually for Meeza, VISA and Mastercard, eNovate continues to position itself at the forefront of Egypt’s digital payment ecosystem.
eNovate has strategically partnered with FOO to enhance its portfolio by leveraging FOO’s expertise, extensive range of services, and innovative approach to product development. FOO’s modular platform, built on a customizable suite of micro-services, enables the delivery of SaaS products across the financial services spectrum – from digital onboarding to digital banking – with unparalleled levels of flexibility, scalability and security.
Through this partnership, eNovate will also deliver Fintech as a Service (FaaS) solutions. Designed to help fintechs rapidly launch and scale their operations, FOO’s advanced ‘out-of-the-box’ FaaS solution streamlines the development process. This approach drastically reduces the time and resources needed to bring fintech products to market, enabling companies to move from concept to deployment within months, rather than years. By providing a comprehensive, scalable platform, this collaboration empowers fintechs across Egypt to focus on innovation and growth, accelerating their path to success in the country’s dynamic financial sector.
Both companies share a strong commitment to driving digital transformation, both within Egypt and the broader payment ecosystem. This collaboration will build on eNovate’s success to date, to further the delivery of fully compliant, end-to-end solutions that meet the diverse needs of its clients and their customers.
This ongoing partnership between FOO and eNovate includes several key projects, the first of which is an end-to-end digital solution for universities across Egypt. Integrated with each university’s learning management system, it will enable students to complete a range of actions – from payments to identity verification – via one easy-to-use app.
Further significant projects are to be announced in due course.
Ghady Rayess, Co-founder and Managing Director at FOO, commented: “At FOO, innovation is integral to our approach. We are proud to partner with eNovate, a true industry trailblazer, to contribute to the remarkable transformation taking place in Egypt’s financial services sector. With the support of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), we are committed to delivering robust financial solutions that will not only strengthen eNovate’s position as a leading innovation hub, but also further digital transformation across Egypt.”
Nashwa Kamel, CEO at eNovate, commented: “We are delighted to be working with FOO. Their commitment to cutting-edge technology and innovation aligns with our vision for providing digital payment solutions in Egypt and across the region. This partnership represents a milestone in our mission to revolutionize the financial landscape, providing our clients and their customers with unparalleled opportunities and enhanced experiences. By combining eNovate’s expertise with FOO’s pioneering solutions, we are positioned to set new benchmarks in the industry, driving forward digital transformation and reinforcing our role as a leader in the global payment ecosystem.”
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