By Fola James
The Managing Director of LADOL Free Zone, Dr. Amy Jadesimi was among five industry leaders who selected the $20,000 grant winner at a United Nations’ backed empowerment programme held recently in New York, United States.
The award was won by Leah Lizarondo, CEO/Co-Founder, 412 Food Rescue.
The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge is the first-of-its-kind global business competition for women entrepreneurs who are advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and inspiring entire communities to act to create the world we want by 2030, a statement by Kunle Kalejaye, LADOL spokesperson said.
Speaking at the event Dr Jayesinmi commends the winner and other five awardees who she said were all impressive.
“WeEmpower is putting brilliant female entrepreneurs on a global stage.
All 5 of the awardees were impressive – both in terms of the bankability of their business models and their passionate dedication to the SDGs.
These are the business models of the future.
The mainstream financial sector is largely oblivious to such opportunities, meaning they are also great undervalued investment opportunities.
Sustainable businesses, such as these, will be the drivers of global prosperity. 80% of the 680 million new jobs the world needs will come from SMEs.
We need to exponentially expand the work of organisations such as WeEmpower, so that millions of sustainable businesses and business leaders can be identified and supported across the world,” she stated.
Adding that “As part of LADOL’s ongoing development, we will be developing infrastructure and facilities to support a range of sustainable entrepreneurs and SMEs, developing innovative customised solutions for the West African market.
Investing in female entrepreneurs with sustainable business plans is one of the most lucrative ways to help ensure achieve the SDGs”
