Who We Are
Transforming Africa
We power the women-led businesses building the future
AWIEF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to championing women’s entrepreneurial ventures, recognising their empowerment as a key driver of inclusive growth and prosperity across Africa.
Our Mission
To advance women’s economic rights across Africa by providing entrepreneurs with access to strategic networks, partnerships, funding opportunities, and development programmes that enable the growth of sustainable, high-impact, female-led businesses.
Our Vision
An inclusive and prosperous Africa where women-owned businesses are not just participating in the economy, they are driving it.
Our Strategy
There are already over 1M individuals engaged through our 4 concrete pathways:
Enterprise Development Programmes
Annual, award-winning conference
Prestigious awards
Advocacy
Irene Ochem
Founder & CEO
“If they can do it,
I can do it!“
Growing up in Nigeria, Irene Ochem witnessed early on how limited access to opportunity held back the potential of many women around her.
Those experiences shaped a deep conviction: that unlocking women’s economic power was essential, not only for individual success, but for broader social and economic transformation.
Driven by the recognition that the entrepreneurial journey is especially challenging for women in Africa, Irene Ochem founded AWIEF in 2015 to change that reality. What began as a bold vision has grown into a powerful platform advancing women entrepreneurs across Africa.
Our Advisory Board
A prestigious council of globally respected leaders driving inclusive growth with a shared goal: to transform the landscape of African business and economy.
Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard
Founder and Chairman, APO Group
Dalia Ibrahim
CEO, Nahdet Misr Publishing House; Founder and CEO, EdVentures
Fatma Samoura
Former FIFA Secretary General
Awa Ndiaye-Seck
Presidentm ADES-USA / Former Special Representative UN Women to the African Union Comission
Meet The Team
The dedicated individuals committed to equipping women entrepreneurs with the right tools to reach their full potential.
Irene Ochem
Founder and CEO
Yolanda Mtshawu
Marketing and Communications Manager
Dalia Diamond
Digital Marketing Designer
Ifeanyi Arthur-Iweze
Partnership and Business Development
Ekene Ochem
Director of Programmes and Innovation
Chantel Bellerose
Impact Lead
Mark Rodgers
Finance Manager
Our Partners
We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our institutional and corporate partners, who not only help bring our mission to life across the continent, but enable a future for AWIEF and the businesses we work with.
Support AWIEF.
IGNITE IMPACT.
Whether your passion is to build, invest, or advocate, there is a place for you in our vibrant community. Be a part of driving, lasting change across Africa.
Donate
Provide crucial financial backing to sustain and develop our programmes.
Partner
Team up with us as a strategic corporate partner, or sponsor, to drive continent-wide systemic change.
Volunteer
Share your time, expertise and experience to support early-stage women founders and watch them grow.
Network
Step into Africa's most powerful network of female leaders and innovators.