Women entrepreneurs and business leaders have been urged to move beyond small-scale enterprises and build sustainable businesses capable of creating wealth, attracting investment and competing in the global market.
The call was made at the 25th Annual Conference of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), held on November 5 and 6, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
With a theme, “Rooted, Rising, Ready: Born in Africa, Built for the World,” the conference brought together business leaders, policymakers, investors and professionals to examine opportunities for women in entrepreneurship, leadership, technology and investment.
Speaking during a fireside chat, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, challenged women entrepreneurs to develop ambitious business ideas and take advantage of Africa’s economic opportunities.
He said the continent possessed resources and market opportunities capable of supporting globally competitive businesses but needed to retain more value from its economic activities.
“The world needs what Africa has; our responsibility is to ensure that as we meet the need, Africa captures most of the value,” he said.
Dangote called on entrepreneurs to abandon small-scale thinking, saying that bold decisions and long-term vision were essential for business expansion.
“If you’re not bold and you’re thinking small, you will never ever grow,” he stated.
In the same vein, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, called for increased investment in African enterprises, improved electricity supply, stronger manufacturing capacity and policies that would support business expansion.
Speaking on the second day of the conference, Elumelu said Africa must translate its natural resources, youthful population and entrepreneurial potential into sustainable economic prosperity.
He also stressed the need to create an enabling business environment where women entrepreneurs could access the capital required to grow their businesses and compete beyond the continent.
Access to finance emerged as one of the major issues discussed at the conference, particularly during a session examining why Africa has yet to produce more female-led unicorns.
Managing Partner of Alitheia Capital, Tokunboh Ishmael, said the continent had successful women entrepreneurs but lacked adequate structures to support their businesses as they expanded.
The discussion, which featured Group Chief Executive Officer of Cray, Olalekan Olude, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Deepankar Rustagi, highlighted the importance of financing, business structures, collaboration and effective management in building scalable enterprises.
Participants also examined how women-led businesses could become more attractive to investors through improved corporate governance, financial preparedness and strategic positioning.
The debate, titled “Fund It or Mentor It,” further explored whether access to funding or mentorship was more important to the growth of women-owned businesses. Although Team “Fund It” emerged victorious, participants acknowledged that finance, mentorship, professional networks and sound business structures were all necessary for sustainable growth.
In addition to financing, the conference examined opportunities in technology, artificial intelligence, the green economy and the creative industries.
Founder of Agile Metamor46, Bunmi Adekeye, urged women to embrace artificial intelligence and acquire relevant digital skills to remain competitive in the changing workplace.
She warned that professionals who failed to understand and adopt emerging technologies risked falling behind those using them to improve productivity and business performance.
While discussing the green economy, panellists encouraged entrepreneurs to identify viable market problems, develop manageable business models and continuously improve their solutions.
The creative economy also featured prominently, with participants examining how investment, industry partnerships and intellectual property development could unlock opportunities in Africa’s cultural and creative sectors.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, reaffirmed the importance of women’s contributions to the continent’s economic development.
At the opening ceremony, Chairman of the WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, Ebisan Akisanya, called for stronger collaboration among women, challenging the perception that women were incapable of supporting one another.
Conference Chairperson, Bennedikter Molokwu, also stressed the importance of collective progress, saying leadership should be measured not only by individual achievements but also by the opportunities created for others.
The conference further examined the relationship between financial independence, professional success and personal well-being.
During a session titled “Building Beyond Yourself: The Woman, Her Power, Wealth and Legacy,” Principal and Lead Coach at Iconic Womanhood, Ekene Ajene Onu, urged women to pursue financial success without neglecting their health, purpose and personal fulfilment.
The gathering also recognised outstanding women entrepreneurs through its Female Achievers Awards.
Among the honourees were Founder of House of Tara, Tara Fela-Durotoye, in the beauty category; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sweet Sensation, Kehinde Kamson, in the quick-service restaurant category; and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MEDPlus Pharmacy, Joke Bakare, in retail pharmacy.
Executive Director of WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, urged women to remain committed to their personal and professional development, stressing the importance of their participation in decision-making.
With a network of more than 4,000 women and programmes reported to have reached over 367,000 women, WIMBIZ said its activities would continue to promote greater female representation in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
As the organisation marks its 25th anniversary, discussions at the conference underscored the need to move women’s empowerment beyond representation to measurable economic participation, business ownership, access to investment and leadership in Africa’s growing economy.
