By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
WEBINAR: TEEI successfully hosted its inaugural business summit, uniting women of valor from across Africa and beyond. Moderated by Queen E. Akwee, AED Executive Empress Institute.
Themed “Strategies for African Women to Thrive in a Changing World,” the summit brought together experts and thought leaders to share knowledge and skills in; Business development, Leadership, Financial literacy, Digital age leverage and others.
“The time has come for African women to take their rightful place in the global economy. TEEI is committed to empowering women with the tools and resources needed to thrive.” said Queen E. Akwee.
Stakeholders at the Summit concurred that; Building resilience in the face of adversity, Leveraging technology for business growth, Cultivating effective leadership skills, Navigating financial markets with confidence are some of the magic bullets towards the desired direction.
The Executive Empress Institute’s launch marks a significant step towards economic empowerment for African women.
TEEI is a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering African women through business education, training, and mentorship.
Patience W. Luyonjo, ABSA Bank Uganda’s Governance and Control Manager, emphasized that economic empowerment enables women to make personal economic decisions and access to finances. She urged women to empower themselves, recognizing that free money is scarce.
Luyonjo defined empowerment as having the power to make decisions and control over something, allowing women to thrive despite challenges. She encouraged women to engage in income-generating activities, sharing personal examples of a stay-home mother earning from crochets and her own (Luyonjo’s) perfume sales alongside her bank job.
Luyonjo advised women to open bank accounts, access financial services, and start cash rounds to grow savings. Quoting 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and Proverbs 31:13-18, 24, she emphasized self-initiative and perseverance. Luyonjo inspired women to initiate their own ventures, citing her sister’s successful flower business, and asked, “What do you do to earn something? That’s the starting point.”
Another speaker, Princess S. Siwela, a renowned newspaper columnist from South Africa, emphasized the pivotal role of formal education and skills development in driving change and transformation for women. “Education is one of the seven mountains – alongside government, religion, media, arts, family, and business – that possess the power to shape our minds and transform society,” Siwela noted. “Therefore, it’s crucial for us to invest in it.”
Siwela highlighted the transformative impact of education on women, citing its influence on creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and smarter decision-making. “If the future is indeed women, as the saying goes, then we need to invest in education and skills development,” she stressed.
In particular, Siwela underscored the significance of women investing in STEM education, which fuels entrepreneurial growth, fosters innovation, economic empowerment, and bridges the gender gap in tech. This investment enhances global competitiveness and sustainability, ultimately paving the way for women to play a leading role in shaping the future.
By prioritizing education and skills development, women can unlock their full potential and become catalysts for meaningful change, Siwela noted
To Priscillah Olutoye, CEO of Medailles Delight from Nigeria, encouraged women to assert themselves in political and leadership spaces. She cited inspiring examples, including a woman who single-handedly led a successful movement and a female presidential candidate in Nigeria’s last national elections, demonstrating courage and self-confidence.
Olutoye emphasized the importance of building alliances with men, particularly husbands, as a strong support system. She urged women to excel in their areas of expertise, leveraging digital marketing to increase visibility. “Social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok offer valuable opportunities for growth,” she noted.
Olutoye highlighted the power of networking, encouraging women to seek out mentors and role models. “As women, resilience is key,” she stressed. “By thriving and persevering, our potential becomes limitless.” Olutoye then challenged women to maximize social media, cultivate resilience, and strive for excellence.
This empowerment-driven approach enables women to break barriers, build influential networks, and achieve unparalleled success.
Miss. Aquila the Executive Director of The Executive Empress Institute (TEEI), expressed gratitude while launching a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering women’s empowerment and leadership development which marked a significant milestone in women’s journey towards bridging the gender gap in entrepreneurship, education, and economic opportunities.
She lauded esteemed speakers and directors for their invaluable contributions to the initiative rating their expertise and support as having been instrumental in shaping TEEI’s vision and mission.
“As we embark on this transformative journey, I am pleased to announce that registration for our programs will commence on November 1st. Our inaugural intake is scheduled to begin on November 24th, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in empowering women leaders.” She stressed.
TEEI’s comprehensive programs are designed to equip women with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields. Our curriculum focuses on entrepreneurship, leadership development, financial literacy, and digital literacy, ensuring that our participants are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape.
She used the opportunity to invite aspiring women leaders to join the community and take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. “Together, let us shape a brighter future for women and contribute meaningfully to the global economy. We look forward to welcoming our first cohort of participants and witnessing the transformative impact of TEEI’s programs.”
*For more about the programs offered at TEEI, check this link below👇👇👇👇