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Women for Digital Conference 2024: Celebrating Women’s Inclusion in the Digital Economy

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The Women for Digital Conference returns this year on March 30th, 2024, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. With a commitment to celebrating, inspiring, and educating women across Africa, the hybrid conference aims to empower women to excel and thrive in the dynamic digital economy.

This year’s event, themed “Inspiring Women’s Inclusion in The Digital Economy,” will feature distinguished speakers, panel sessions, and interactive activities aimed at fostering inclusion and driving positive change in the industry. We are honoured to welcome Michel Deelen, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as our Special Guest of Honor.

Commenting on the significance of the event, Tobi Asehinde, Founder of Digital Marketing Skill Institute and the Convener of the Women for Digital Conference, stated, “The Women for Digital Conference is more than just a gathering; it’s a movement towards empowerment and inclusivity. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, it’s crucial to ensure that women have equal opportunities to thrive and lead. This conference serves as a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and action, driving tangible change in the digital economy.”

The Women for Digital Conference 2024 will provide a platform for esteemed professionals from diverse backgrounds to share experiences, insights, and lessons learned, igniting passion and fostering inclusion within the digital marketing landscape. Among the notable speakers are Ayoola Femi-Adebayo, Manager, Brands and Marketing Communication at Airtel Africa; Deola Aromiwura, Executive Director, Marketing and Communications at HEREL Global; Susan Ikegwu, Growth Marketing Leader; Myra Abasiakara, Digital Marketing Lead, 9 Payment Service Bank; and Maureen Ogwu, Ex-Meta, Technology Talent Sourcer.

This year’s conference holds special significance as it celebrates the achievements of the Digital Marketing Women Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DM-WEEP), funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Challenge for Youth Employment Project. This initiative, spearheaded by the Digital Marketing Skill Institute, aims to empower young women with digital marketing skills and provide access to high-paying jobs, mentorship, and career services.

Event Highlights:

  1. Conference: Keynote speakers and panel sessions focusing on topics relevant to women’s inclusion in the digital economy, providing valuable insights and perspectives.
  2. Awards Ceremony: Recognizing and honouring women who have excelled within the DM-WEEP community, celebrating their dedication, innovation, and leadership in digital marketing.
  3. Live Job Matching: Facilitating direct connections between skilled women and employers seeking to fill positions in the digital marketing field, promoting employment opportunities and economic empowerment.

Bukky Asehinde, Founder of Bellafricana, a community of over 20,000 creative businesses across Africa, highlighted the importance of partnership in the event, stating, “We are excited to partner with the Women for Digital Conference to provide our members with the opportunity to meet trained digital marketing talents. This partnership not only benefits our members by connecting them with skilled professionals but also contributes to the growth and success of women’s inclusion in the digital marketing ecosystem in Africa.”

“We believe that by empowering women with digital skills and providing opportunities for their professional growth, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous digital economy,” said Kehinde Towolawi, Country Manager at Digital Marketing Skill Institute. “The Women for Digital Conference serves as a catalyst for driving positive change and inspiring women to achieve their full potential in the digital landscape.”

Join us at the Women for Digital Conference 2024 to be part of a transformative journey towards women’s empowerment and inclusion in the digital economy.

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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EFCC Arraigns Two FSDH Bank Officials Over $307k, €50k Fraud

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Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, arraigned two bank officials, Bakare Oladimeji Surajudeen and James Olukayode Imokwede, over an alleged $306,667.81 and €50,250 fraud before Justice Ismaila Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.
EFCC Arraigns Two FSDH Bank Officials Over $307k, €50k Fraud

EFCC

The defendants, who are both top officials of FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged stealing and retention of stolen property to the tune of $306,667.81 and €50,250.
The petitioner, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, alleged that an internal audit uncovered unauthorized debits totaling $306,667.81 and €50,250, equivalent to N527,406,916.66 (Five Hundred and Twenty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Sixty Six kobo), from its Letters of Credit (LC) payable accounts.
Investigations revealed that the defendants processed fraudulent transfers through the SWIFT platform to third parties.
One of the counts reads:
“That you, BAKARE OLADIMEJI SURAJUDEEN and JAMES OLUKAYODE IMOKWEDE, sometime in 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly took the sum of N527,406,916.66 (Five Hundred and Twenty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Sixty Six kobo), property of FSDH Merchant Bank Limited.”
Another count reads:
“That you BAKARE OLADIMEJI SURAJUDEEN AND JAMES Olukayode Imokwede sometime in 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly took sum of $306,667. 81 (Three Hundred and Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven dollars, Eighty one cents) property of FSDH Merchant Bank Limited”.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges preferred against them.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, H. U. Kofarnaisa, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendants be remanded in a Correctional facility pending trial.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, Oluwaseun Akintunde and Olajide S. Onasanya, informed the court that bail applications had been filed on behalf of the defendants and also urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
They also prayed that the defendants be remanded in the EFCC custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The prosecution counsel, however, opposed the prayers of the defence seeking the remand of the defendants in the EFCC custody, saying that “the EFCC detention facilities are overstretched.”
After listening to both parties, Justice Ijelu granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The court ordered that one of the sureties must be a relative, who is gainfully employed.
The sureties must provide evidence of tax payment in the last three years and must show proof of livelihood, with their residences verified.
The defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court, and must not travel outside the country without the leave of the court.
The judge subsequently remanded the defendants in a Correctional facility pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
Justice Ijelu adjourned the matter till March 25, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

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AfDB Supports Francophone Africa Start-ups with €6.5M

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The African Development Bank Group last week approved an investment of €6.5 million in the Saviu II fund in order to support technology start-ups through their seed phase and first institutional fundraising, mainly in French-speaking Central and West Africa.

The Bank will invest €4.5 million as equity and €2 million as a first-loss hedging tranche on behalf of the European Commission, under the Boost Africa Programme.

This participation of the Bank Group will enable the Saviu II fund to give priority to companies with a strong technological or digital component.

Saviu II, the second investment vehicle of Saviu Partners, plans to invest between €500,000 and €3 million in about 20 technology or technology-oriented business-to-business start-ups in the seed phase or carrying out first institutional fundraising.

The Saviu II venture capital fund aims to make at least 60% of its commitments in the French-speaking countries of West and Central Africa: Côte d ‘Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso and Mali.

The fund can also co-invest in promising technology companies in East Africa that have a strong team and business model, and whose strategy includes entering the market in French-speaking West African countries and establishing a strong presence there.

In addition, the fund will devote a dedicated envelope to pre-seed investments, focusing on minority equity investments, usually in co-investment with studios, incubators or other ecosystem partners.


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Nigeria Inks $1.3bn MoU with AFC for Alumina Refinery, Mining Push

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Nigerian Government has signed a $1.3 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) via the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) to fund an alumina refinery, national geoscience mapping, and a strategic investment vehicle for mining growth.

Nigeria Inks $1.3bn MoU with AFC for Alumina Refinery, Mining Push

Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, said the refinery will process one million tonnes of bauxite yearly using a modern Bayer process, powered by an on-site gas-fired cogeneration plant.

Minister Dele Alake called it a transformative milestone boosting GDP, aligning with reforms that improve investment climate, regulations, and licensing to attract private capital. He directed agencies to fast-track permits.

The 20-year project at 95% utilization eyes 19 million tonnes total output, $1.2 billion annual GDP addition, $25 billion economic impact, and $8 billion forex earnings, per feasibility studies.

SMDF Executive Secretary Fatima Shinkafi termed it the agency’s biggest funding deal, supporting value-addition policy.

The partnership extends to geoscience mapping for mineral data, de-risking exploration, and a joint vehicle for mining assets.

Permanent Secretary Engr. Farouk Yabo praised the reforms. Shinkafi signed for government; AFC’s Franklin Edochie for the corporation, witnessed by AFC CEO Samaila Zubairu.

Tomori positioned it as Nigeria’s largest private mining investment and FDI magnet.


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