Mary Olushoga, the founder of Africa Women Pioneers (AWP), on Thursday emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving success during her address at the EcoAction 2025 Summit held in Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking with journalists after her presentation, Olushoga stressed that true success in any endeavour cannot be fully realized without strategic alliances and joint efforts.
She explained that the event, which was organized in partnership with Shimite Love, aimed at training entrepreneurs in Delta State, providing them with the necessary skills to grow their businesses.
According to Olushoga, Nigeria’s progress hinges on the ability of individuals and organizations to come together through partnerships and collaborations.
The summit, which brought together entrepreneurs from across Delta State, provided a two-day training session to help them advance their businesses.
The event was attended by several dignitaries from the state, all of whom contributed to the conversation on entrepreneurship and business development.
Olushoga shared that Delta State was the second stop for her team after Ekiti State. She revealed that the initiative would continue across various states in Nigeria, including Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Adamawa, before reaching major cities like Lagos and Abuja.
Olushoga voiced her disagreement with the tendency to focus empowerment efforts solely in Abuja and Lagos, pointing out the need to address the challenges faced by entrepreneurs outside of these major urban centers.
“A lot of people empowering the informal sector stay only in Lagos and Abuja. We need to look for ways to solve the problems of entrepreneurs beyond these cities and bring them together for true empowerment,” she said.
Olushoga emphasized that her efforts cater to all Nigerians, including men, women, and youths. However, she noted that her partnerships have a greater focus on women, with the ultimate goal of supporting them in growing their businesses, becoming self-sustaining, and contributing positively to their families and communities.
Over the years, her mission has been to empower women, creating opportunities for them to thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
An award-winning community and economic development professional, Olushoga has made significant strides in creating business opportunities for African women and youth.
In 2020, she launched the AWP Network Vendor Program to increase the number of women vendors capable of supplying large retailers across Africa. This initiative has led to partnerships with well-known retailers like ShopRite Nigeria, Jara Stores, Miniso Nigeria, Next Cash n Carry, and Prince Ebeano.
In 2012, Olushoga founded the African Women Power (AWP) Network, a platform dedicated to empowering small business owners in Africa. She has a multifaceted career as a networker, mentor, speaker, writer, business advocate, and change agent, all while actively pursuing social impact.
Olushoga holds a bachelor’s degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York, and a Master of Science from Baruch College. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the African Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum Empowerment Award and the African Youth Excellence Award for her leadership in business and public service.
Her work spans across various sectors, and she has worked with organizations such as the United States Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency and Columbia University’s School of Business. Olushoga has also presented her work on women entrepreneurs at prestigious institutions such as the UK House of Lords, Harvard University, Duke University, and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, among others.
Her initiatives, such as the AWP Network Agropreneur Project and the AWP Network DREAM Initiative, have contributed immensely to the empowerment of African women, and she continues to lead the charge in creating sustainable business opportunities for women and youth across the continent
