Athena Women Entrepreneurs

Athena Women Entreprenuers' Centre of Excellence

We are a dynamic initiative focused on empowering women entrepreneurs across Africa.
Founded by women for women, the AWE is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced
by women in collecting and saving income, growing businesses, and accessing
formal economic opportunities.

AWE Centre of Excellence is a collaboration between The Women's DNA Fund and Athena SGB Ventures​

UN sustainable Development Goals

AWE Center of Excellence embraces the mission to propel women entrepreneurs on a trajectory of sustainable development and growth. The program addresses SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities they need to overcome gender-based barriers and thrive in the business world. By fostering economic growth, AWE Center of Excellence contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty), as it enables women to uplift their families and communities through successful business ventures. 

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Amanda Onyekachi-McSamuel - Finance Professional (Speaker AWE2023)

Athena Women Entrepreneurs' workshops

The AWE Workshop seeks to provide the opportunity for women to gather and share their experiences, learn new skills, and network with like-minded individuals across various regions in Africa; it is projected to be held quarterly, addressing the business needs of women in various industry sectors, including agriculture and agri-processing, technology, marketing and media, textiles and clothing, restaurants and caterers, beverage manufacturers, education, and many more.

The workshops will encompass interactive discussions on the business plan; financial accountability in robust accounting and bookkeeping; traditional marketing and social media techniques; financial inclusion and access to finance. There will also be ample opportunity for networking. Attendees will also have the opportunity to arrange further exploratory sessions and clinics with the expert industry sector speakers after the workshops to better understand the products that they may need to take their businesses to the next level.

Benefits of AWE workshops

The Athena Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Workshop has a profound impact on both direct and
indirect beneficiaries, creating a ripple effect for positive change within the Ghanaian business ecosystem.

Direct Beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries of AWE Workshops are women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors and backgrounds across Africa.

Indirect Beneficiaries

The impact of AWE Workshops extends beyond its direct participants, reaching a broader network of indirect beneficiaries.

Gender Segmentation

AWE Workshops have a deliberate and comprehensive approach to gender segmentation. It is designed to address and bridge the gender gap prevalent in entrepreneurship.

Athena Women Entrepreneurs' Network

AWE Network embodies a commitment to these interconnected goals, amplifying
the transformative potential of women entrepreneurs in achieving sustainable
development and a more prosperous future for all.

Felicity Serwaa Amankona - Creative Director February by Serwaa (Speaker AWE2023)

Target Group and Anticipated Reach

AWE Centre of Excellence is purposefully designed to target women entrepreneurs across diverse geographical regions within Africa. This initiative addresses a wide spectrum of economic sectors, including agriculture and agri-processing, technology, marketing, media, textiles, and beyond, reflecting the varied and vibrant landscape of African entrepreneurship. AWE’s commitment to inclusivity extends to underrepresented populations, including people in rural areas and ethnic groups. 

Empowering African women in business

AWE acknowledges the unique challenges and opportunities presented by each sector and tailors its curriculum to ensure relevance and effectiveness. Based on the participants outcome, AWE is projected to reach more than 2,000 women entrepreneurs across Africa by July 2024.

testimonials from AWE2023 Workshop

It was an amazing and awesome event and I can’t wait for the next session! The diversity displayed was incredible as women entrepreneurs from different backgrounds attended and shared experiences which are priceless .

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Clara Arthur

Top 100 Women in Fintech in Africa

This conference was really interesting. All the parts and topics was relevant. And the fact that all the speakers were present, was amazing for me. Can’t wait for a part 2 to discuss more of Business Resilience.

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Mercy Kone

CEO KISMA Spa & Grooming

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

AWE embodies a commitment to these interconnected goals, amplifying
the transformative potential of women entrepreneurs in achieving sustainable
development and a more prosperous future for all.