WIMBIZ 25th Annual Conference: Day One Recap

By Bennedikter Molokwu

Good morning, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

What a truly inspiring first day we had yesterday! The 25th WIMBIZ Annual Conference opened in an atmosphere filled with excitement, connection and hope. From the breakfast networking session to the final discussions, the power of sisterhood was evident in every corner of the hall.

Our Chair, Mrs Ebisan Akisanya, delivered a heartfelt welcome, describing WIMBIZ as more than an organisation but a movement and an unshakable force that has, for 25 years, inspired women to live with courage, authenticity and purpose.

Her words set the tone for a day that reminded us all of the importance of continuous growth, learning and giving back.

The morning continued on a high note with a beautiful musical performance by Esther Benyeogo, whose voice lifted our spirits and prepared us for a day of deep reflection and meaningful connections.

Opening Remarks: Rooted, Rising and Ready

In my opening remarks, I reflected on WIMBIZ’s silver jubilee and its founding vision of making women visible and influential across management, business and public service.

I likened our organisation to an interconnected root system, emphasising that individual success is strengthened by collective support, mentorship and the sharing of resources.

I argued that the next chapter should not be measured simply by how far we rise as individuals, but by what we make possible for others.

My message of being “Rooted, Rising and Ready” connected identity and resilience with expanding ambition and execution.

I also introduced the idea of a cross-border exchange of expertise and resources through the WIMBIZ network. This would enable members operating in different markets to access technical, professional and commercial capabilities.

The underlying challenge was clear: we must move from networking as an event to collaboration as an operating system.

Keynote and Fireside Chat: Africa Must Capture More Value

In his keynote address, Aliko Dangote argued that Africa’s economic future should be built around what the continent can produce, rather than simply what it possesses.

Drawing on examples from commodity processing and his group’s transition from trading to manufacturing, he highlighted the economic losses that occur when Africa exports raw materials only for higher-value products to be manufactured elsewhere.

He called for greater support for domestic investors, stronger industrial capacity, export-oriented production and the policy and infrastructure conditions necessary to attract investment.

Dangote was also candid about the challenges facing industrialisation, including electricity constraints, policy inconsistency, financing pressures and operational risks.

His advice to entrepreneurs combined ambition with discipline: think big, understand your business, prioritise execution, preserve trust and take calculated rather than careless risks.

During the fireside chat, titled “The Geography of Opportunity: Why the World Needs What Africa Has,” moderated by Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, discussions focused on mobilising African capital and broadening participation in investment.

Dangote linked trustworthiness and business knowledge to access to finance, encouraged a stronger savings and investment culture, and advised entrepreneurs to master their businesses in their home markets before expanding regionally.

Competence, integrity and proven performance also emerged as important qualities of effective leadership.

The broader message was that capital, credibility and confident local execution are closely connected.

Public-Sector Perspective and Recognition

The goodwill message from the Lagos State Government highlighted the importance of women’s participation in driving productivity, job creation and economic competitiveness.

The address acknowledged persistent challenges, including access to finance, business approvals, market opportunities and the limited visibility of women in economic data.

It also highlighted state initiatives relating to enterprise financing and export readiness, while calling for more coordinated business processes and measurable outcomes to ensure public programmes effectively support women entrepreneurs.

The Female Achievers Awards also celebrated outstanding women whose businesses have made significant contributions across different sectors.

The award recipients were:

• Tara Fela-Durotoye – House of Tara, beauty industry.
• Kehinde Kamson – Sweet Sensation, quick-service restaurants.
• Joke Bakare – MedPlus, retail pharmacy.

Their recognition celebrated sustained enterprise development and highlighted the breadth of women’s contributions to business and economic leadership.

Microtalks: How to Position, Choose and Act

1. Positioning for Continental Opportunities – Adeola Olusodo

Using the Lekki economic zone as an example, Olusodo demonstrated how coordinated infrastructure and predictable operating conditions can attract investment and create wider economic opportunities.

She emphasised that women do not necessarily need to establish large factories to participate in industrial growth.

They can enter value chains by supplying inputs, providing logistics, packaging and technical services, leasing warehouse space, offering training or pursuing joint ventures with established manufacturers.

Early positioning, professional relationships and complementary partnerships were identified as important strategies for accessing regional value chains.

2. Build, Buy, Partner – Tope Shonubi

Shonubi explained that building, acquiring and partnering are strategic options that should depend on individual business circumstances rather than follow a universal formula.

He highlighted important considerations such as competitive advantage, changing market demand, delivery timelines, capital requirements, risk, organisational capacity and control.

Drawing on examples from the power sector, he warned that even commercially sound investments can underperform when critical external dependencies are not delivered.

He encouraged entrepreneurs to prioritise preparation, regular reviews, disciplined implementation and adaptability. He also noted that partnerships can create opportunities for growth where individual investments may be too expensive or risky.

3. From Where I Sit – Tokunboh Talabi

Talabi broadened the discussion beyond business founders to include career professionals and public servants.

Drawing on transitions across paid employment, entrepreneurship, retirement and government service, he encouraged participants to challenge limiting assumptions, recognise their existing skills and networks, and prepare for career changes before they become urgent.

His practical advice included starting with problems one understands, testing commercial viability, avoiding unnecessary diversification and knowing when to stop or change direction.

He also emphasised that opportunities can be pursued within existing institutions as well as through new businesses.

Green Economy and Food Value Chains: From Labour to Higher Margins

The plenary session, titled “The Green Economy and Africa’s Food Value Chain: What African Women Need to Own Next,” explored the economic opportunities available to women in the green economy.

The discussions highlighted that the green economy extends beyond solar panels and electric vehicles. Food production, crop processing, logistics, waste recovery and energy management also offer significant business opportunities.

Panellists challenged the concentration of women in labour-intensive, low-margin activities and encouraged greater participation in higher-value areas such as processing services, agricultural input businesses, aggregation, quality-control systems, storage and distribution.

Examples included initiatives to train women in cassava-related value addition and services, the use of hybrid power systems to reduce the cost of unreliable electricity, and the conversion of agricultural waste into organic fertiliser and other useful products.

The panellists also emphasised that businesses seeking investment must demonstrate genuine market demand.

Repeat customers, predictable supply, regulatory compliance, proper record-keeping and an understanding of investor expectations were identified as important factors.

They advised prospective entrepreneurs to research their chosen sectors, identify specific market problems and test their business ideas before scaling.

The discussions also acknowledged that opportunities such as carbon credits require proper technical and regulatory due diligence rather than assumptions about potential earnings.

The Capital Room: Moving from Financing Gaps to Credible Propositions

The Capital Room session, titled “Getting Seen, Getting Funded, Getting to Scale,” combined investment discussions with facilitated group activities.

The opening discussion examined the gap between the availability of capital and its accessibility to women-led businesses.

Participants considered the roles of investor networks, sector specialisation, representation in investment decisions and the need for financing instruments suited to different business models.

Mentorship, technical advice and social capital were also highlighted as important components of business growth, alongside funding.

During the economic-capital breakout session, participants questioned whether women-owned and women-led businesses were adequately represented in sectors currently attracting investment.

Other discussions focused on investor readiness and the importance of translating promising ideas into clear commercial models, financial forecasts and credible investment proposals.

Participants explored opportunities in agricultural value chains, waste management, technology-enabled services and healthcare.

One recurring proposal was the creation of coalitions around selected business opportunities, bringing together finance, supply, energy, logistics, security and market access.

This approach would allow entrepreneurs to combine their strengths instead of attempting to solve every business challenge independently.

These discussions reflected possible areas for collaboration rather than formal conference-wide agreements.

Cross-Cutting Insights and Key Takeaways

Several important lessons emerged from the first day of the conference.

1. Ownership Is the Next Frontier

Participation matters, but the bigger question is where women own productive assets, capture higher-value margins, lead organisations and influence investment decisions.

2. Capital Is an Ecosystem, Not Just a Cheque

Successful businesses need appropriate financing, credible business models, reliable records and investment readiness. Investors and institutions also influence who accesses available opportunities.

3. Collaboration Is Infrastructure

Cross-border networks, supplier alliances, shared expertise and business coalitions can reduce entry costs and help women overcome fragmented value chains.

4. The Enabling Environment Matters

Reliable electricity, transparent administrative processes, practical export support, relevant skills and measurable public programmes are essential for sustainable business growth.

5. Readiness Requires Action

Entrepreneurs must understand opportunities, identify clear problems, test assumptions, manage risks, adapt to changing conditions and prepare their businesses for growth.

Looking Ahead to Day Two

The strongest bridge between Day One and Day Two is the transition from inspiration to implementation.

WIMBIZ’s 25-year foundation is a valuable asset. Its next chapter should focus on turning that collective strength into practical opportunities for market access, investment, collaboration and lasting institutional impact.

As Day One drew to a close, one thing was clear: the spirit of WIMBIZ remains alive and unstoppable.

Today, as we step into Day Two, let us carry that same energy forward.

Let us continue to own our stories, walk in power and nurture the future — together.

Thank you.