Women-Led Enterprise Takes Centre Stage at the 360 Woman Africa Annual Conference 7.0

Raheem Akingbolu

At a time when conversations around women’s economic empowerment are widespread but action remains limited, 360 Woman Africa Foundation has taken a capital-led approach through the 360 Woman Africa Enterprise Fund. On 25 October 2025, the Foundation awarded a total of ₦10,000,000 to four women-led businesses in Nigeria during the 360 Woman Africa Annual Conference 7.0, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The awards marked the third grant cycle of the Enterprise Fund. According to the Foundation, the funding represents more than financial support. It is positioned as a strategic blended investment in women as economic drivers, employers, and community builders.

The four recipients were selected from over 2,000 applications through what the organisers described as a rigorous and transparent evaluation process. The selected founders demonstrated viable business models, growth potential, integrity, and measurable impact. Each grant was structured to fund defined business expansion projects, ensuring that capital is linked to outcomes, sustainability, and scale.

The Enterprise Fund was designed in response to the barriers women entrepreneurs face, including limited access to finance, restricted networks, visibility gaps, and systemic bias. Beyond funding, the model combines capital with visibility, learning, accountability, community, and long-term engagement.

Grant recipients are inducted into the 360 Woman Africa Enterprise Fund Alumni Network, where they gain access to peer learning, mentorship, storytelling platforms, and partnership opportunities. In this structure, beneficiaries are positioned as partners, ambassadors, and evidence of what happens when women receive targeted support. The Foundation notes that each supported business contributes to job creation, strengthened local supply chains, improved livelihoods, and community stability.

The Enterprise Fund operates within the wider platform of the 360 Woman Africa Annual Conference, a convening focused on women in leadership, enterprise, and social impact. The 7.0 edition brought together 1,350 women from across sectors, including entrepreneurs, executives, policymakers, creatives, professionals, and ecosystem leaders.

The conference theme, “Elevate: Building Women of Vision, Influence, and Impact,” guided discussions centred on execution. Sessions addressed topics such as scaling businesses in volatile economies, leadership resilience, ethical decision-making, gender-responsive access to finance, identity and confidence, and building impact alongside profitability.

Speakers at the event included Fela Durotoye, Bunmi Lawson, Osayi Alile, Beatrice Eneh, and Dr Yvonne Chioma Ofodile, Founder of 360 Woman Africa and Chief Executive Officer of Zetile Group.

Winnners at the event are; Grand Prize – 5,000,000.00 – Victoria Duru (CEO, Wakamedics Healthcare Ltd), 2nd Prize – 3,000,000.00 – Omobolaji Shittu (CEO, Bolat Paints), 3rd Prize – 1,000,000.00 – Fanda Zigwai (CEO, Lady bamboo) and 4th Prize – 1,000,000.00 – Temitayo Ogunleke.

Meanwhile, the awards were presented by Dr Yvonne Chioma Ofodile (Founder, 360 Woman Africa) and Mrs Toyin Bakare (President , Fate Foundation Alunmi).

The Foundation stated that its work aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 8, focusing on gender equality and decent work and economic growth. By strengthening women-owned enterprises, 360 Woman Africa positions African women as participants in economic solutions.

Looking ahead, the Foundation is expanding partnerships with corporates, financial institutions, development organisations, policymakers, investors, and media partners, using the Enterprise Fund and Annual Conference as platforms for gender-lens impact and economic growth.