Bolaji Obabiyi (intern)
The Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA) has inaugurated its South-West Chapter with a renewed commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs through access to finance, technology, innovation and sustainable business opportunities.
Penpushing reports that the inauguration, which was held at the 7th Floor, Odu’ACCIMA Hall, Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State, had as its theme, “Driving Women’s Enterprise Through Finance, Technology and Innovation.”
The event brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics and stakeholders across the South-West, with the inauguration of Mrs Titilayo Cynthia Saka as the South-West Coordinator of the body forming a major highlight of the ceremony.
Penpushing further reports that President of Odu’ACCIMA, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, said the inauguration was not merely about placing an individual in office but about creating a platform for action, collaboration and economic transformation for women entrepreneurs across the South-West.
The President pointed out that women remained a significant force in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, contributing to agriculture, manufacturing, trade, technology, services and the creative industries, while creating employment and supporting community development.
Penpushing also reports that he, however, identified limited access to affordable finance, uneven access to appropriate technology and inadequate capacity to innovate and compete in increasingly digital markets as some of the challenges limiting the growth of women-owned businesses.
The Odu’ACCIMA boss stated that the theme of the programme was timely and strategic, stressing that women entrepreneurs needed practical pathways to access capital from financial institutions, investors, government programmes and development finance institutions.
Penpushing reports that he added that access to finance must be accompanied by financial literacy, business formalisation, proper record keeping, business planning and sound financial management to enable women-owned enterprises become investment-ready and bankable.
The President on technology, urged women entrepreneurs to embrace digital marketing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, digital payments and business management tools, describing technology as an increasingly important necessity for modern businesses.
Penpushing further reports that Olaleye encouraged women to embrace innovation by developing better products, production processes, packaging, marketing strategies, customer experiences, distribution systems and business models.
The President said Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA) , as part of the broader Odu’AçCIMA chamber ecosystem, would serve as a platform for building stronger women-led businesses, facilitating access to finance and investment, promoting technology adoption, encouraging innovation and strengthening business networks across the South-West and beyond.
Penpushing also reports that the newly inaugurated South-West Coordinator of Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA), Mrs Titilayo Cynthia Saka, pledged to operate an open-door administration anchored on transparency, integrity and fairness.
The coordinator outlined her vision to mobilise women at the grassroots level into Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA), empower women to utilise resources available in their communities to build sustainable businesses, and provide training and opportunities for the girl child across the five South-West states.
Penpushing reports that she equally pledged to advocate better business development opportunities for women, establish sustainable cooperatives for women entrepreneurs, collaborate with government and relevant organisations to build women’s capacity, and seek partnerships with international organisations and financial institutions to facilitate access to financial support.
The coordinator emphasized that, her administration would focus on financial inclusion and access to finance, digital skills and innovation, business growth and development, market access, business management and sustainability, as well as women’s economic empowerment.
Penpushing further reports that she identified love, peace, transparency, accountability, integrity and service as the core values that would guide her tenure.
The Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of WALLX Africa, Mr Richmond Ogigai, speaking on the theme emphasised the importance of technology in improving women-owned businesses and expanding their access to opportunities.
Penpushing also reports that Ogigai urged women entrepreneurs to first identify areas of their businesses where technology could be applied to improve productivity and efficiency.
The co-founder noted that access to a smartphone and the internet already provides an entry point into the digital economy, but stressed that entrepreneurs must understand how to effectively use available technological tools to maximise their benefits, and highlighted the importance of digital transformation in helping businesses improve their operations and remain competitive.
Penpushing reports that, one of the guest speakers, Dr Ifenaike Adetronke of Lagos State University, speaking on finance stressed the significant contribution of women to enterprise development, particularly in agriculture, food processing, fashion, education, retail, manufacturing, professional services and the creative industries.
The speaker noted that women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to household income, employment creation and community development, underscoring the need for greater financial support and opportunities for women-owned businesses.
Penpushing further reports that, Dr Folasade Olukemi Oke, addressed the issue of innovation, highlighting its importance in helping women entrepreneurs develop sustainable and competitive enterprises.
The inauguration featured the unveiling of the South-West Executive team, comprising Mrs Olufunmi Olufide as First Deputy from Osun State; Dr Mrs Funmi Williams as Second Deputy from Ondo State; Mrs Mercy Olatunji as Treasurer from Ekiti State;
Penpushing also reports that others include Mrs Kikelomo Adegbola as Deputy Treasurer from Oyo State; Mrs Jaiyeola Akinbo as Financial Secretary from Ogun State; Mrs Modupe Olakunle as Honorary Secretary from Ondo State; and Miss Justina Fakehinde of Odu’AçCIMA.
The newly inaugurated South-West leadership is expected to work towards strengthening women’s participation in business, improving access to finance and markets, promoting digital skills and innovation, and creating sustainable economic opportunities for women across the region.
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