Leaders from Nigeria and the United Kingdom gathered together at the Raffles London at the OWO hotel on March 17, 2026, to launch SheThrives, a new initiative designed to support women-led businesses across Nigeria.
Convened by the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs Nigeria in partnership with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and the Labour African Network, the gathering marked a significant step in strengthening international collaboration around women’s economic empowerment.
The SheThrives initiative aims to empower 10 million Nigerian women over the next three years, providing access to training, financial resources, and market opportunities. According to event organizers, the program is designed not only to support individual entrepreneurs but to strengthen Nigeria’s broader economic ecosystem.
A Gathering of Global Voices
The London event brought together influential voices across sectors, highlighting the international importance of women’s entrepreneurship.
Among those present was UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, who reinforced the significance of UK–Nigeria partnerships in driving sustainable economic growth. His remarks underscored how collaboration between nations can create opportunities that extend beyond borders.
Also in attendance was Cherie Blair, whose foundation has supported hundreds of thousands of women entrepreneurs globally. Her participation reflected a growing recognition that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential to building resilient economies.
Strengthening Families as the Foundation for National Growth
Speaking with Rolling Stone Africa during the event, Nigeria’s Minister for Women’s Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, explained why family-centered development could shape Nigeria’s future. “Government in Nigeria has recognized that stronger families will make way for a stronger economy and a more secure society,” she said.
The Minister described the approach as a shift away from fragmented solutions toward more integrated strategies. “Once we strengthen the family unit, it means we can be more secure, more prosperous, and address issues like nutrition more easily,” she explained.
A Vision That Extends Beyond Nigeria
While the event centered on Nigeria’s programs, the Minister’s message extended across the continent.
She highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role within Africa and encouraged other nations to prioritize family-focused initiatives as a pathway to long-term stability.
“Nigeria is a giant of Africa. Once Nigeria stabilizes, the whole of Africa will stabilize. Once Nigeria grows, the whole of Africa will grow,” she said.
Her call for continental collaboration underscored the wider implications of policies that support women and families, not just locally, but regionally.
