US Consulate calls on women entrepreneurs to apply for 2020 Academy for women entrepreneurs

The United States Consulate General has announced a call for applications for the 2020 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a U.S. government initiative that supports women entrepreneurs around the world. The first edition of the programme was held in Lagos in September 2019.

In this second annual AWE, 120 female entrepreneurs will be selected from across southern Nigeria to receive virtual and in-person training and mentoring. Additionally, to support the comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration of returned migrants, 20 female returnees will be chosen to participate in the US 2020 AWE programme.

The programme which is scheduled to run from November 2020 to March 2021 will see that successful applicants will receive lessons on business management, network with like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors. The applicants will also learn the practical skills required to create and run successfully as well as sustainable businesses. Also, leading local business leaders will help facilitate the workshops.

“One of the U.S. government’s goals is to promote entrepreneurship worldwide.  Through the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, we are doing just that by giving ambitious businesswomen the skills they need to take their ventures to the next level. For this year’s programme, we encourage motivated and self-driven female entrepreneurs to apply,” United States Consulate Acting Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Foltz said.

According to her, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy, the U.S. Consulate General aims to work with the AWE participants to develop their businesses. Furthermore, she explained that the goal of AWE is to teach women around the world to become successful entrepreneurs.

Participants will receive access to DreamBuilder, a blended business-training course developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan.

The U.S. Consulate General also partnered with Ascend Studios Foundation to administer this programme. Chief Executive Officer of Ascend Studios Foundation, Ms Inya Lawal, said: “We are excited that the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos has partnered with us for the second time to implement this important programme tailored for women’s economic empowerment.”

How to apply

Female entrepreneurs interested in participating in the AWE programme can apply for free by filling out the application form. Application closes on November 8, 2020.

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