By BusinessDay
Copyright businessday
Female business leaders across Africa have been challenged to think beyond survival and pursue ventures that can scale globally while leaving lasting legacies.
The charge was delivered at the inaugural Africa Female CEO Conference (AFCC), held in Lagos on Thursday under the theme “Building Sustainable Businesses.”
Keynote speaker Elizabeth Jack-Rich, founder of Elin Group, said African women must redefine sustainability to encompass people, purpose, and long-term impact.
“True sustainability is not just financial returns,” she told participants. “It is what we build today and the legacy we leave tomorrow.”
She argued that while women-led firms often employ more women and reinvest in communities, barriers such as poor access to finance and limited international networks continue to stifle growth.
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In a fireside chat, Olori Boye-Ajayi, managing partner of Borderless Trade & Investments, also urged women to tap into global markets more aggressively, pointing to strong demand for African exports ranging from shea butter to digital services.
“Services travel faster than goods,” she said, adding that African women entrepreneurs should leverage trade houses in hubs like Dubai and China to scale operations.
On financing, Boye-Ajayi stressed the importance of credibility and networks in securing capital, warning that “capital is not determined by merit alone.” She encouraged women to explore franchising models and business clusters as growth strategies.
Conference convener Ishioma Imokhai-Bello described AFCC as proof that persistence pays off. “When the inspiration for AFCC first came to me, it seemed impossible. But here we are today,” she said. “No matter how daunting that dream may be, push for it. You can do it.”
The gathering drew entrepreneurs, financiers, and policymakers, all united by the goal of positioning African women at the heart of the continent’s next growth phase. Speakers agreed that by scaling with purpose, female CEOs could shape African economies far beyond the boardroom.
