On Friday, December 9, WFM91.7 radio will host the second annual Voice of Women (VOW) Conference in Lagos, chaired by Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija. The theme for this year’s event is “Facing Our Future – Together” and will focus on four themes: F.A.T.E – Finance, Agriculture, Technology and Entertainment.
In the last couple of years, technology has emerged as a focal enabler for African economies. However, women, while lead in other sectors such as Agriculture, still face obstacles in thriving in the Technology sectors.
More so in Financial Technology. Cellulant a leading Pan-African payments and transfer company, is among the companies in Africa that is determined to change this status quo by creating today’s leaders and role models for tomorrow’s workforce. In partnership with WFM91.7, Cellulant brings industry expertise in all four themes, with a focus on Financial Technology and how women are being championed to lead in this sector.
A company of African origin, Cellulant founders have designed a company that believes in empowering Africa’s work force irregardless of age or gender. It is no surprise that the company is among the leading technology companies that hires women at all levels, with a workforce averaged at 26 years.
Among the speakers during the Voice of Women conference will be Cellulant’s Co-founder and CEO of Cellulant Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Akinboro. A pioneer in digital commerce, and a leading voice in Technology and Agriculture, Mr. Akinboro’s career span has been focused on powering African economies through technology, and assuring that women also lead the way in this transformation. This will be a focal point of his speech during the conference.
“Cellulant’s women workforce is not by mistake. We have designed to empower women, because we believe that Africa’s economic growth is centered around making sure that all individuals, men, women, young and old, are included in this journey. We cannot move forward as a continent, if we are not carrying everyone along,” said Mr. Akinboro.
Cellulant journey which began in 2004 has seen the company to building a successful mobile commerce company in Africa by Africans and for Africans. Currently operating in 11 countries, serving over 75 banks, 600 businesses and connecting over 40 million customers, Cellulant’s team has pioneered some of the largest and daring mobile commerce projects, including powering payments for more than 14 million farmers in Africa.
He adds, “We hope that companies across Africa can follow our example- by hiring women across all the functions, and establishing them in the formal economy. We challenge our women staff to take ambitious projects, train them as leaders in the company, and offer them opportunities to thrive. It not a new saying that when women thrive in Africa, we all thrive.”
Echoing Mr. Akinboro’s sentiments, Ms. Toun Okewale Sonaiya CEO WFM91.7 said “technology is a vital sector we need to focus more on to grow the Nigerian economy and Africa. We need to consciously support women and girls to access the global market with technology”
The Voice of Women is made possible in partnership with Bank of Industry, Eko Electricity Distribution Company & Cellulant. Other speakers include Chief Mrs Erelu Fayemi Co- Founder African Women Development & Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu. Speakers include Mrs Sola David-Borha Chief Executive Stanbic IBTC, Mr Waheed Olagunju Ag. MD Bank of Industry, Funke Akindele a.k.a Jenifa, Mr Bolaji Akinboro CEO Cellulant, Mr Richard Mofe-Damijo & Joke Silva.
Wife of Nigeria’s President Mrs Aisha Buhari will be the special Guest of Honour
The conference will be succeeded by an award and dinner to recognize organizations and individuals who have been voices to the causes of women development in Nigeria.
