6 Oct
Women’s Mentorship Programme
Project: Women’s Mentorship Programme Theme: Transforming Nigerian Entrepreneurs Date: TBD Apply Today Overview Gallery Overview At the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), we believe in the power of women entrepreneurs to drive positive change and economic growth in Nigeria. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in the United Kingdom to provide a life-changing opportunity for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Empowering Women Through Mentorship Our Women’s Mentorship Programme, in collaboration with the Cherie Blair Foundation, offers a unique opportunity for aspiring and established women entrepreneurs to receive mentorship and support to build and grow their businesses. Since our inception in May 2013, MMF has been dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of women across Nigeria. Over 400 Women Mentored and Counting Since our journey began, we’ve had the privilege of supporting over 400 talented women entrepreneurs. Through our one-year mentorship program, we’ve witnessed their businesses flourish and their networks expand. These mentees have become trailblazers in both the business world and the realm of social enterprises. Tailored Mentorship for Business Success Our partnership with the Cherie Blair Foundation connects our mentees with accomplished mentors who are experts in their respective fields. These mentors provide invaluable guidance, tailored to the specific needs and goals of our mentees. It’s a year-long journey of personal and professional growth. A Year of Transformation As proud partners of the Cherie Blair Foundation, we are committed to helping Nigerian women entrepreneurs reach their full potential. Every year, we select three batches of remarkable women for our 12-month mentorship program. This means that over 120 female entrepreneurs benefit from this life-changing opportunity annually. Setting the Standard for Excellence To be part of our Mentorship Programme, women must meet specific criteria. We look for individuals who are fully committed to the year-long journey, ensuring the best possible outcomes. Thanks to MMF’s support, a total of 130 women mentees have experienced significant growth in their businesses. Join us in celebrating the success stories of women entrepreneurs who have thrived with the Murtala Muhammed Foundation and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Together, we are transforming dreams into reality, one mentorship at a time. Are you ready to embark on your entrepreneurial journey with us? Gallery Get Involved Join our growing community of empowered women in business Apply Today Donate Now Your support matters. Help us expand our impact by donating now. Donate
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6 Oct
Women Power Lunch: Empowering African Women Through Leadership
Project: Women Power Lunch Theme: Empowering African Women Through Leadership Donate The Women Power Lunch is a pivotal component of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation’s Women In Development – Enterprise Across Africa (WIDEAA) program. As a flagship initiative of the Foundation’s Women Initiative, it plays a crucial role in empowering women entrepreneurs by facilitating dialogue with internationally renowned African leaders and business figures. What is Women Power Lunch? At the Women Power Lunch, women entrepreneurs have the unique opportunity to engage with distinguished African speakers who have excelled in leadership and business. These speakers share their insights through inspiring keynote addresses, addressing vital developmental issues relevant to African women. The atmosphere encourages meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities. Past Remarkable Events 2015: Breaking Barriers The inaugural Women Power Lunch took place on November 13, 2015, with the esteemed H.E. Grace Machel Mandela, former first lady of South Africa and Mozambique, as the keynote speaker. The event focused on the theme “Breaking Barriers: Catalyzing Change.” Grace Machel is a global advocate for women, children, and communities affected by conflict and injustice. 2016: Women in Solidarity In 2016, we continued our commitment with the theme “Women in Solidarity: A New Paradigm for Inclusion.” H.E. Mrs. Joyce Banda, former president of Malawi and the second female president in Africa, graciously hosted this event. 2018: Smart Economics The third Women Power Lunch in 2018 centered around the theme “Smart Economics: Empowering Women In A Changing World.” The keynot speaker was H.E. Prof. (Mrs.) Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the first female president of Mauritius. Impact: Uniting Women for Progress Through Women Power Lunch, we have united more than 5,000 women, providing them with a platform to learn, engage, interact, network, share ideas, and collaborate. This annual gathering fosters economic development, regional integration, and women’s inclusion in decision-making processes. To discover more about the Women Power Lunch and its incredible impact, please explore our dedicated page Learn More About Women Power Lunch Donate Now Your support matters. Help us expand our impact by donating now. Donate
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6 Oct
Connecting Women Entrepreneurs Across Africa
Project: Connecting Women Entrepreneurs Across Africa Donate At the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), we believe in the power of collaboration to drive positive change. One of our key initiatives, the Women’s Integration and Development in Enterprise Across Africa (WIDEAA) program, is making a significant impact by connecting women entrepreneurs in Nigeria with opportunities across the African continent. African Trade and Integration: A Snapshot The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa highlighted a critical issue in its report, revealing that Africa’s trade within the continent accounted for just 14 percent of its total trade. This means that a staggering 86 percent of Africa’s trade was with the rest of the world, indicating low intra-African trade. In 2015, only 5 percent of Africa’s imported cereals came from within the continent. These figures underscored the need for regional integration and cooperation. The Path to Integration In response to this challenge, a collaboration between the African Union Commission, the Economic Commission for Africa, and the African Development Bank set out to measure regional integration using the Africa Regional Integration Index. This index assessed various aspects of integration, including trade, investment facilitation, infrastructure, free movement of persons, and integration into regional value chains. WIDEAA: Bridging the Gap The objectives of WIDEAA align perfectly with the goals of the Africa Regional Integration Index. As part of our program, women entrepreneurs from Nigeria embarked on business integration trips to countries like the Republic of Namibia. Namibia’s economy is driven by key sectors such as mining (diamonds, uranium, iron ore), agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Many of the goods, including cereals, are imported into the country. The visit provided a unique opportunity for Nigerian entrepreneurs to explore potential trade integration and collaboration in these sectors. Strengthening Ties During these visits, our team interacted with counterparts in Namibia, fostering exchange visits in return. This reciprocal exchange allowed Namibian women entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities in Nigeria, gaining first hand insights into our vibrant economy and its regulations. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Namibian Ambassador to Nigeria and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Namibia for hosting these exchange visits Towards Economic Growth Regional integration in Africa is key to stimulating economic growth, reducing poverty, and combating unemployment across member states. By promoting integration, especially in trade, we aim to open up more opportunities for people and improve intra-African trade. MMF’s efforts align with the goals of the United Nations, the African Union, and regional bilateral organizations to promote integration on the continent. Building Bridges since 2013 Since 2013, MMF has been partnering with the Namibian Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare to facilitate business visits. These visits have seen Nigerian women entrepreneurs exploring investment opportunities in Namibia, while Namibian investors have reciprocated by visiting Nigeria. Learn More Get Involved Interested in learning more about our Women’s Exchange Program? Explore how we are connecting women entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth. Learn More Donate Now Join us in our mission to promote regional integration and empower women entrepreneurs. Your donation can make a significant difference in the lives of many. Donate
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Women Empowerment and Capacity Development
Women Empowerment and Capacity Development At the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), we believe in the power of women’s empowerment and capacity development. We offer robust and content-specific programs that span across all our thematic areas, with a primary focus on entrepreneurship, livelihood, and digital literacy. Our goal is to equip women with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. Empowering Women in Careers and Business Through our capacity development initiatives, we empower women to excel in both their careers and entrepreneurial endeavors. We foster interactive learning environments by adopting a practical and participatory approach, facilitating meaningful interactions between instructors and participants. Promoting STEM Education for Girls As part of our commitment to gender equality and inclusivity, we provide training in digital literacy and support girls interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In 2008 and 2010, MMF established computer laboratories in female high schools and women’s centers in Kano state. We continued this effort by developing computer laboratories in various female secondary schools in Benin City and Jalingo. Capacity Development for Women (2016) In 2016, we partnered with the Kano state government to empower women in rural areas with clean energy solutions through solar lamps. Impact: The beneficiaries received training and low-cost solar lamps, which significantly improved lighting in their rural communities. Capacity Development for Women (2018) In 2018, MMF organized capacity development training for a diverse group of women entrepreneurs. This training was facilitated by a resource person from General Electric (GE Africa). Impact: Approximately 400 women participated in this training, along with support from the Lagos state employment trust fund and a commercial bank in Nigeria. The program provided participants with valuable economic and financial insights to enhance their business ventures. Learn More About Capacity Development for Women To delve deeper into our capacity development programs for women, we invite you to explore our dedicated section on Capacity Development for Women. Donate
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