by Oge Okonkwo

Poize Magazine, Nigeria’s first magazine for and about women entrepreneurs under the leadership of Comfort Avunze Sakoma is proud to announce the WEConnect International initiative in Nigeria. WEConnect International will launch on Thursday the November 28, 2013 in a high-profile ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria.

Based in Washington, D.C., WEConnect International is a global American non-profit that facilitates sustainable economic growth by increasing opportunities for women-owned businesses to succeed in global value chains. The new initiative will put certified women business enterprises in touch with key procurement contacts in multi-national companies. This will encourage supplier diversity by giving large corporates the confidence to purchase from women-owned businesses which have achieved the WEConnect certification. Based on its successes in the US, China, India and other parts of the world, the initiative has already signed up major corporates including IBM, Microsoft, Nigerian Bottling Company, ExxonMobil and Accenture. WEConnect will break down the barriers faced by Nigerian women-owned businesses in securing corporate contracts.

Comfort Avunze Sakoma, Executive Director for Nigeria, WEConnect International says: “WEConnect International was created specifically to help women owned businesses maximize their potential to do business with big business in Nigeria, the U.S. and globally. Certified Women Business Enterprises join a powerful business network and gain a marketing edge, allowing them to accelerate the growth of their firms.” She is responsible for the management, leadership and development of WEConnect International in Nigeria. Her role involves developing corporate and public sector support as well as growing and developing the database and network of registered and certified women business owners across Nigeria.

The prestigious event will be graced by the distinguished presence of some of the most influential female African dignitaries, business moguls, former Presidents, Governors, Senators, Ministers, Technocrats, luminaries and captains of industries.

The opening welcome address will be delivered by His Excellency Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, The Chief Servant of Niger State.

Among other exciting aspects on the day, the Event will also feature the Inauguration of the Founding National Advisory Board where multinational corporations who have accepted to buy from Nigerian women owned businesses certified through WEConnect International make their commitment public.

We look forward to an amazing event. Should you or your office require further clarification on the subject above, kindly have your office contact us at [email protected].

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