Foundation, BOI to facilitate access to funding for women-led businesses at ‘InfluenceHer’ event
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The Thriving Business Women Foundation (TBWF) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) have announced plans to host ‘InfluenceHer Conference’ for women in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with the goal of helping them scale their businesses.
At a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Mayokun Oreofe, founder of the TBWF, said the event will unite thought leaders and business owners to advance women’s entrepreneurship and leadership in Africa.The maiden conference, themed ‘Grow’, is scheduled for October 24 at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.According to the founder, the initiative was launched after 19 years of witnessing women in business face structural barriers despite their resilience.
Oreofe said the theme represents progression from talent to economic power and influence, aiming to empower women as catalysts of impact.
Beyond the sessions, the convener said the TBWF will unveil the Influencer Leadership Institute, a training and mentoring hub to cultivate women leaders and foster entrepreneurial growth.“InfluenceHer is not just a conference. It’s a growth pipeline, a platform where women will receive practical knowledge, leadership exposure, visibility, and access to an ecosystem that makes scaling possible,” she said.“We are creating a structure that allows women to grow and remain visible, not just inspired.”
Oreofe said women-led MSMEs in Nigeria face challenges scaling up due to limited access to funding, mentorship, and enabling structures, despite constituting over 40 percent of small businesses.
On guest speakers, she said Sam Adeyemi, a leadership coach and strategic thinker, will deliver the opening keynote address.
Other speakers include Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder of House of Tara International; Niyi Adesanya, CEO of FifthGear Plus Consulting; Morenike Molehin, founder and creative director of Oak and Teak Interiors; and Seye Olurotimi, founder of MSME Africa and lead consultant at CedarTribe.
She noted that the conference focuses on leadership and growth, rather than just management, empowering women to scale and lead with vision.
Oreofe added that the conference, partnering with Wema Bank’s ‘Sara by Wema’ and the BOI’s ‘Glue’ programme, will provide women entrepreneurs with access to funding and support, rather than grants.
