Award-winning pan-African women economic empowerment organisation

AWIEF is a women economic empowerment organisation that supports women entrepreneurs in Africa to grow their business and fulfil their potential.

Our mission is to foster women’s economic inclusion, advancement and empowerment through entrepreneurship support and development. Our vision is an inclusive and thriving Africa where women-owned businesses are empowered to create and grow high-impact and sustainable businesses, contributing to increasing Africa’s GDP and economic growth.

Passion and purpose
Nothing is more exciting and fun than being an entrepreneur, chasing your dreams on your own terms. Yet, the entrepreneurial journey and building a thriving business isn’t easy, especially for females in Africa who face many additional challenges and barriers. Founder and CEO of AWIEF, Irene Ochem, grew up as an ambitious young girl in Nigeria, understanding first-hand the imperatives of economically empowering women and girls. She built her career at the global stage and learned to be resilient and never give up. She knew that one day she would be the leader she wished she had, and help other women achieve their goals too. “If I can do it, they can do it!”

Irene turned her words into deeds and founded AWIEF in 2015 and has built a powerful platform, driving inclusive economic transformation for women, and working to close the gender gaps in entrepreneurship in Africa. She has achieved this feat with a dedicated team and collaboration with partners who believe in what she believes, who are passionate about empowering and inspiring women to maximize their potential and build successful businesses.

Key to success
We believe the key to success is to facilitate, support and inspire women entrepreneurs in multiple areas of their business by providing knowledge, tools, resources, and valuable connections.

AWIEF offers a range of programmes that are tailored to the needs of female entrepreneurs in Africa. Whether you are at idea or launch stage in your entrepreneurship journey, you fit into one of our programmes.
- Digital Skills Training
- AWE South Africa 2022
- SMEs Investment and Export Readiness program
- LeadTech Incubation Program
- AWIEF Growth Accelerator Programme
- FemBioBiz Accelerator Programme: Season 4
- Solutions Catalysing Increased Access to Capital for the Success of Women Entrepreneurs
- FemBioBiz II Accelerator Programme | AWIEF
- VALUE4HER: Strengthening Women's Agribusiness Enterprises in Africa | AWIEF

• Location: Cape Town, South Africa, Southern Africa
• Website: https://www.awieforum.org