A total of 250 women graduated from the 3rd cohort of the United States sponsored Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) training programme.

The participants all took part in a three-month training designed to cultivate entrepreneurial know-how, and help women entrepreneurs connect with funding opportunities. 

The event that took place in Ile Ife, Osun state, also enhances opportunities for business expansion, and increase the likelihood of entrepreneurial success. 

The U.S. partnered with Ascend Studios Foundation, founded by Inya Lawal, an alumna of the Fortune-U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership programme. 

The U.S. Consulate has successfully supported the training of 470 women entrepreneurs through the AWE program to date with plans for future cohorts.

Temitayo Famutimi, information specialist at the public affairs section of the U.S Consulate in Lagos, in a statement issued on Friday, said the beneficiaries were trained based on an online course called DreamBuilder, which was developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and U.S. copper mining company Freeport McMoran.  

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said the U.S. government supports women’s participation in the economy as they seek to thrive in the workforce, succeed as entrepreneurs, and create stability and prosperity in their communities. 

Ms Leonard expressed great delight in the graduates, acknowledging their commitment to the successful completion of the program despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She welcomed the AWE graduands to the U.S. government exchange alumni community, and urged them to take advantage of the knowledge they have acquired to support each other. 

 “We have been impressed with the enthusiasm of the program’s participants and the expertise of the trainers,” Ms Leonard said at the AWE graduation ceremony held in Ile Ife, Osun State.

“I know that you will carry this training forward, become leaders in your own right, and increase the success of your businesses and those of other women.

 “I encourage you to take advantage of the exchange alumni group to continue to grow and support each other,” she added.

The beneficiaries took part in the 2021 edition of A.W.E that was announced by U.S. government in September; an initiative that provides support for women entrepreneurs across the world.