Bisi Ekingbile

A Nigerian social entrepreneur who pioneered women's economic empowerment through grassroots entrepreneurship programs

Bisi Ekingbile (born 1958) is a visionary Nigerian social entrepreneur whose work has profoundly impacted women's economic participation across West Africa. As founder of the African Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) in 1995, she created a platform that has empowered over 50,000 women to start and grow businesses. Her initiatives focus on microfinance, skill development, and access to global markets, enabling women to transition from subsistence farming to viable commercial enterprises.

Ekingbile's approach combines traditional knowledge with modern business practices. For instance, her Agripreneurship Program trains women in sustainable farming techniques while connecting them to international export channels. This model has increased average household incomes by 300% in participating communities. Her work has been featured in UN Women case studies and inspired similar programs in Ghana and Cameroon.

In 2002, she launched the Women's Economic Empowerment Index, the first regional tool measuring gender-based economic disparities. This data-driven approach has influenced Nigerian government policies on women's economic inclusion. Ekingbile's TED Talk "Why Women's Economic Empowerment is a Global Priority" (2017) has over 2 million views, spreading her message worldwide.