Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the Creative Economy
Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation, recently completed its three-day Women Entrepreneurs Development Programme (WEDP) bootcamp. This initiative aimed to provide female TAFTA alumni with essential tools, industry knowledge, and networking opportunities to transform their creative passions into sustainable businesses.
The hybrid bootcamp took place from October 27 to 29, bringing together female creatives aged 18 to 35 for a comprehensive learning experience. The event combined virtual sessions on business fundamentals with an in-person showcase and pitch event at Terra Kulture. The programme was designed to address critical gaps in entrepreneurship education for women, focusing on legal formalisation, financial literacy, digital strategy, market access, and investor readiness.
Bolanle Austen Peters, Founder of TAFTA, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to creating sustainable pathways for women in the creative economy. She stated that talent without opportunity is potential unfulfilled, emphasizing that the bootcamp reflects TAFTA’s dedication to ensuring that trained women become not only skilled artists but also confident entrepreneurs capable of building, growing, and scaling businesses that transform their communities.
“We are investing in a generation of women who will redefine what it means to succeed in Nigeria’s creative economy,” she said.
Virtual Sessions and Practical Learning
The first two days of the bootcamp were conducted virtually, focusing on key areas of entrepreneurship such as business foundations, legal compliance, intellectual property, and digital strategy. Participants learned how to formalise their businesses, develop sustainable models, manage finances, and build effective digital marketing plans.
Expert facilitators, including David Agboto, Chinedu Isagbah, Faith Desmond, Adefunke Smith, Favour Ofem, and Uloma Nkemakolam, led engaging sessions that connected business concepts to real-world challenges faced by women in the creative sector.
In-Person Showcase and Pitch Event
The final day featured a dynamic physical session at Terra Kulture, where participants showcased their progress through live pitch presentations before a panel of mentors, investors, and industry stakeholders. Sessions on funding opportunities, partnership strategies, and storytelling for investment were facilitated by Juliet Ibhadiyi and Bayo Babatunde, equipping participants with the confidence and clarity to communicate their business ideas effectively.
The atmosphere was charged with creativity and purpose as the women demonstrated how they plan to scale their ventures and contribute meaningfully to the creative economy.
Strategic Importance and Future Impact
Joseph Umoibom, Academy Lead at TAFTA, highlighted the strategic importance of the programme in advancing women’s participation in the creative economy. He noted that the creative economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, yet women remain underrepresented in leadership and ownership positions.
Through WEDP, Umoibom said, they are not only teaching business skills but also breaking barriers and building an ecosystem where women can access funding, forge partnerships, and take their rightful place as industry leaders.
“The innovation we witnessed during the pitch sessions shows that these women are the future of the creative industry,” he added.
Resources and Networking Opportunities
Participants received practical resources such as business templates, pitch deck guides, and access to microfinance information, along with continued mentorship opportunities. The programme also introduced women-focused funding channels and created direct networking opportunities with potential investors and collaborators across the creative ecosystem.
By the end of the bootcamp, participants left with actionable business plans, strengthened digital strategies, and a renewed sense of purpose within a growing network of women entrepreneurs committed to mutual growth and support.
Alignment with TAFTA’s Mission
The initiative aligns with TAFTA’s mission to democratise access to quality arts education and build sustainable livelihoods for creative professionals across Nigeria. The Women Entrepreneurs Development Programme Bootcamp represents a major milestone in TAFTA’s commitment to gender equity in the creative sector.
It demonstrates that when women are equipped with the right tools, resources, and opportunities, they do not just participate in the creative economy; they redefine it.