By Yemisi Suleiman

In a bid to highlight and tackle investment gaps and increase ways to expose women of colour in Nigeria and the UK to digital money and wealth creation opportunities, President, Borderless Trade Network, and founder of project WINHER, Mrs. Olori Boye-Ajayi, and other industry thought leaders are set to take women on a 4-stage investment education, with a ‘Max Out’ event powered by the WINHER initiative.

While giving an overview of the project and expected outcome at a press conference held in Lagos recently,  Mrs. Olori Boye-Ajayi, said the initiative seeks to sensitize and educate women in business on how to look for other opportunities outside Nigeria. She noted that the WINHER initiative is not looking for a short-term approach, but an inclusive one.

Stage 1 of the Max Out event will hold on two different days: the 8th of August 2021, for women of color living in Nigeria, and 15th of August 2021, for diaspora women of colour. The intent of the Max Out event for women in the diaspora is to build confidence about investing in Nigerian businesses.

Olori Boye-Ajayi, speaking on behalf of the other facilitators – Inya Lawal, President, Ascend Studios Foundation; Tomie Balogun, Financial Educator & Investor; Sanmi Adegoke, CEO, Rehoboth Property International; Olayinka Anthony, CEO, CoWorthy Capital; and Tobi Arayomi, Financial Investor & CEO, Qplus says that “The WINHER initiative is a 2-year project in 4 stages that will have technical and knowledge partners in order to win more women,” with a goal of reaching 30,000 women by 2025.

Tomie Balogun explains that financial education goes beyond literacy, but also teaching women how to earn. According to her, there is a clear gap for women in terms of financial literacy and investment, and this is one of the reasons why Twelve has come on board as knowledge and technical partner for the WINHER initiative.

Mr. Sanmi Adegoke highlighted that Rehoboth will be focusing on educating the black community on property investment and how to own a property in the UK.

On his part Mr. Oluwafemi Fayewa, Vice President, Cersei Partners, and one of the panelists emphasized the intentionality of the inclusion of women in investment opportunities. The Honorable Trade and Investment Commissioner of Vanuatu to South Africa and The federal republic of Nigeria, Commissioner, Olufemi Badejo, who is also one of the project partners, speaking on the importance of the WINHER initiative says, “If you educate the girl child, you educate the whole community”, which he would like to achieve through this partnership.

Ada Chintua, the Programs Development and          Partnerships Officer, OBA Inc. and the Special Adviser to Olori Boye-Ajayi, President Borderless Trade Network, noted that the WINHER initiative also seeks to close the funding gap that women experience and get them sensitized and educated about investment.

The WINHER Initiative is targeting women of colour between the ages of 21-45 because research has shown that the investment opportunity networks for women is low.