GTBank SME MarketHub empowers female Entrepreneurs in Africa

GTBank has through its SME MarketHub, empowers female entrepreneurs in Africa as it partners She Leads Africa for the 2015 Entrepreneur Showcase.

The initiative which is sponsored by GTBank is geared towards shining a spotlight on women who are driving Africa’s growth through leadership, commerce and innovation by providing a veritable platform for young female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses across Africa and compete for US$10,000 in cash prizes, direct access to investors and international media exposure.

This year, applications were received from over 400 startups in 20 countries before six finalists – Beauty Rev NG, Heat Free Hair, Heels In the Kitchen, InstaHealth, Kamokini and Omolata) were selected to pitch their businesses to a panel of leading business personalities including Segun Agbaje, Managing Director of GTBank plc; Tunde Folawiyo, Managing Director of Folawiyo Group; Huda Al Lawati, Abraaj Capital Midle East and North Africa Chief Investment Officer; Acha Leke, Director, Mckinsey & Company; Mo Abudu, Founder of Ebony Life TV.

According to Yasmin Belo-Osagie, co-founder of SLA, “We are very excited about the judging panel for this year’s She Leads Africa Entrepreneur Showcase. The panel is made up of established and well-respected individuals from the consulting, media and finance sectors. Each judge’s professional insight and experience will play an important role in deciding the winners of this year’s Entrepreneur Showcase.

Commenting on the development, Segun Agbaje, Managing Director/CEO of GTBank said “empowering SMEs across Africa remains pivotal to the sustenance of growth and development in emerging economies across the world.

It is for this reason that using our SME MarketHub platform, we have strategically targeted this sector to provide opportunities and create value for all our customers. He further stated that “SME businesses listed on the GTBank SME MarketHub can take advantage of the “She Hive”, a one week training program sponsored by the SME MarketHub of the Bank to train small business owners on capacity building, business ethics and global best practices. Tickets for the pitch competition are available on the SME MarketHub i.e. www.smemarkethub.com

HOPE MOSES-ASHIKE