Key points
• Women Entrepreneurs Accelerate Africa trains 140 women in Rivers State on AI, marketing intelligence and financial management.
• Experts highlight digital tools, market data and structured social media strategies as key to business growth.
• Participants commend programme for boosting entrepreneurial confidence and business planning skills.
Main story
The Women Entrepreneurs Accelerate Africa (WEAA) has concluded a two-day capacity-building programme for 140 women entrepreneurs in Rivers State, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), financial management and marketing intelligence to strengthen business performance and sustainability.
The training, held in Port Harcourt, brought together business owners and experts from academia to equip participants with practical tools to scale their enterprises and improve competitiveness in an increasingly digital economy.
Speaking at the workshop on Wednesday, a Lecturer in Management at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, Dr Chioma Onoshakpor, said the programme was designed to address structural challenges affecting women-led businesses across Africa.
She noted that the initiative aimed to bridge gaps in access to finance, digital technologies and market information, which often limit the growth of small and medium enterprises owned by women.
Onoshakpor, who is also the founder of Boss Babes Nigeria, explained that the programme was sponsored by the university as part of its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs across the continent.
She added that similar trainings would be extended beyond Rivers State to other parts of Nigeria and other African countries, including Lagos, Kenya and South Africa.
Other facilitators emphasised the importance of integrating digital tools into business operations.
Dr Imabong James, a researcher, data analyst and lecturer at Aberdeen Business School, encouraged participants to adopt AI-driven tools and structured social media strategies to improve visibility and customer engagement.
She observed that while many entrepreneurs use social media platforms, most lack a coordinated approach to content creation, branding and audience engagement.
James introduced planning frameworks to help participants develop consistent digital content, strengthen brand identity and maximise online opportunities, noting that AI tools can support efficiency and creativity in business communication.
She also highlighted the multiple responsibilities faced by women, including family and work obligations, as key barriers to maintaining consistent digital engagement.
Another facilitator, Dr Tolulope Ibukun, a lecturer in Economics and Management, stressed the importance of market intelligence and sector analysis in business expansion and investment readiness.
According to her, access to credible market data helps entrepreneurs understand competition, identify industry trends and develop effective pricing strategies.
“When engaging investors, entrepreneurs need credible market data and sector information to demonstrate the viability of their businesses,” she said.
The issues
Despite the growing number of women-owned businesses in Nigeria, many entrepreneurs continue to face challenges such as limited access to funding, weak digital skills, poor market data and inconsistent branding strategies.
Experts say these gaps reduce competitiveness and limit the ability of small businesses to scale sustainably in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
What’s being said
Participants at the workshop praised the training, describing it as timely and impactful.
One participant, Mercy Nwachukwu, said the programme had strengthened her entrepreneurial mindset and inspired her to accelerate plans to establish her own business.
Facilitators also emphasised that AI and digital literacy are no longer optional but essential tools for survival and growth in modern business environments.
What’s next
Organisers said the training initiative will be expanded to other African locations, including Lagos, Kenya and South Africa, as part of a broader effort to empower women entrepreneurs with digital and financial skills.
Participants are also expected to apply the knowledge gained to improve business operations, expand market reach and enhance profitability.
Bottom line
The WEAA training highlights the growing role of AI and digital literacy in modern entrepreneurship, with experts stressing that access to technology, data and structured marketing strategies is key to unlocking sustainable business growth for women across Africa.
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