Get the Insider View on Doing Business as an African Woman
Business Finance: 4 Common Mistakes Women Entrepreneurs Make and How to Avoid or Overcome Them
In Part 2 of our series on business finance, we discuss some of the most common business mistakes we’ve identified that can negatively impact financial performance and how best to rectify them.
AWEC Alumnae Spotlight: Lola Yunus on Why AWEC is Like a Gift That Keeps on Giving
Changing careers can be tough and nerve racking. It is likely to bring with it a new routine, which may affect your work/life balance, and what’s more you'll probably be entering an unfamiliar space and will have to build new relationships and a good professional reputation —sometimes from scratch.
African Women Entrepreneurs on the Rise: Leaning Into Opportunity
These two ladies are a great example of how to turn a pandemic into a milestone for your business. You need to think big, say yes to opportunities, consult mentors and keep learning skills and knowledge that may come in handy for your growth.
Know Your Numbers: 5 Essential Components of Business Finance that Women Entrepreneurs Need to Know
A financially literate business owner is more likely to be fully in control of their business. In this article we share five key terms that highlight the importance of thinking in numbers!
4 Key Components to Acquiring New Customers
Customer acquisition is the lifeblood of any company, small or large. But with all the sales and marketing tools that exist today, why do business owners still find it challenging to attract new buyers for their products and services?
AWEC Alumnae Spotlight: Jocelyne Landry Tsonang - How Continued Learning Has Transformed Her Construction Business in Cameroon
Running your own business is an adventure. Read about the tools that Jocelyne used to set herself up for success in a tough sector.
Customer Retention: A Long Term Strategy for Business Growth
Business owners place a disproportionate focus on marketing and advertising in order to attract new customers. Customer acquisition is necessary to grow any business, but not at the expense of customer retention.
Unlocking the Potential of Women’s Businesses in Africa
Africa is not a monolith, but rather 54 individual countries with their own laws, policies, cultural norms, and business landscapes. How can companies and organizations begin to understand the nuances to effectively empower women entrepreneurs in those countries? We explored more than a dozen countries and highlighted three in this article.
Operational Resilience and Customer Focus: A Strategy for Business Continuity
While business owners need a cocktail of skills to run a successful enterprise, the most crucial one is to build solutions with the customer in mind. This focus on service is the game-changer your business needs to thrive, even in a global pandemic.
Congratulations and a Warm Welcome to AWEC Cohort Four Fellows!
After applying for the program and waiting anxiously for the news, 200 women received the invitation for a coveted spot in the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative’s flagship program.
AWEC Alumna Spotlight: Mary Udo's Relentless Pursuit of Her Vision
Rejection is not a topic that individuals discuss often because it’s painful and no one likes the experience. But addressing this taboo topic enables us to learn from the process and chart a path to eventual success.
Leading Experts Share Insights on Developing a Clear Business Vision for a Post-COVID Future
As Jack Welch said, “Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion.” Tap into the fantastic tips shared in the AWEC Virtual General Assembly, and you will be well on your way to becoming a great business leader.
Highlights from a Successful Virtual General Assembly
From 17th - 19th of March, The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) successfully hosted its second Virtual General Assembly, to celebrate and mark the end of the program year for AWEC’s Cohort 3 Fellows.
African Women Leading Innovation Share Insights for Creating Change in Africa
Empowered women power up entire societies! To celebrate women’s month, AWEC was honoured to join a panel of phenomenal African women who have led organizations and initiatives that are transforming lives and communities in their countries.
The African Business Woman’s Guide to Applying Design Thinking
Design thinking is a little-known secret weapon for African women entrepreneurs. Africa has infrastructure vacuums that force leaders and businesses to be creative in solving their customer’s problems. Small businesses can spearhead this area of transformation due to their ability to change and adapt quickly to feedback
Year Four AWEC Applications Reflect The Hope and Resilience of African Women Entrepreneurs
Amid the continued fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, African women entrepreneurs remain determined to build and grow their businesses through skills development programs like ours
How to Create Your Business Innovation Strategy
In Africa, innovation is crucial in solving some of our biggest problems. It starts at the top. The best predictor of innovation is your company culture. To ensure sustainability and longevity, create an enabling environment that encourages your team to explore.
5 Reasons Every African Entrepreneur Needs to Learn Design Thinking
At a glance, design thinking may not feel relevant. What does it have to do with improving sales and beating the competition? Simply, everything.
AWEC Mentor-Mentee Spotlight: Fabiola Riobe & Pyemwa Deshi
Anyone who has founded a company will know, having an experienced adviser who can lend an ear and wise counsel during the tough times is key to their success. Mentors play a significant role in the lives and businesses of all our Fellows.
AWEC Mentor-Mentee Spotlight: Frank Linnehan & Eyiyemi Olivia Rogbinyin
Mentoring is a cornerstone of AWEC’s core programming, providing Fellows with the opportunity to engage with senior business professionals to discuss specific business challenges and continue their professional development.