Hafsat Abiola appointed WIA Initiative’s Executive President

Hafsat Abiola, a Nigerian activist for human rights, civil rights and democracy, was appointed, this 5th June 2018, Executive President of Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative, the first innovative platform dedicated to the economic development and support of leading and high potential African women, launched in 2016.

 “I accept this appointment with honour as I believe in the vision of Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative. Women are the greatest untapped resource of the continent. I want to help lead the organization that is working to harness their potential. It could very well be the game-changer that unleashes the long- anticipated rise of the continent.”

 She  takes over the lead of Aude de Thuin, founder of WIA Initiative, a serial entrepreneur, committed worldwide to the cause of women for over twenty years. “It is within the logic of WIA Initiative’s history to have an African woman as president since it is through women that Africa will develop in confidence and in complementarity with men”.  she said.

 Hafsat will be responsible for the vision for Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative. As such, she will be in charge of the summits’ programs organised by the Initiative, whether they are global or regional, and of the digital platform’s contents.

 She will be the spokesperson and interface with pan- African and global partners. She will chair the Council and expand the network of ambassadors (currently 27 on the continent).

 “WIA Initiative has a great network of women across Africa and around the world as well as strong relationships with corporations and organizations, especially in Europe. Internally, we have a small but dynamic team that is committed to delivering results for Women in Africa, which means that there is no limit to what we can achieve, so long as we remain focused on our goal, which is to ensure the rise of the women of Africa.” says Abiola.

 Hafsat is a graduate of the Phillips Academy (1992) and Harvard College (1996), she is the founder and president of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, whose purpose is to strengthen civil society and promote democracy in Nigeria. She is currently a member of the Ogun State Cabinet as a Governor’s Advisor.

Launched in 2016, Women In Africa (WIA) Initiative is the first innovative digital platform dedicated to the economic development and support of leading and high potential African women. Its pillars of action – WIA Club, WIA Media, the WIA Institute, WIA RH, contribute to the promotion of a new generation of African women who invent inspiring leadership to positively change the future of the continent. The mission of the fifth pillar, the Foundation, WIA Philanthropy, is to highlight and network women entrepreneurs in Africa.