Tochi Wigwe, a dynamic entrepreneur and director of The HOW Foundation, has embarked on an ambitious mission to bolster the small business landscape in Lagos, Nigeria. Her initiative, the TW Entrepreneurship 2030 Agenda (TWEAGENDA), represents a five-year commitment to empowering over 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the structural frameworks and strategic guidance necessary for sustainable growth. Recognizing that funding alone is insufficient for entrepreneurial success, Wigwe’s approach focuses on providing holistic support encompassing structure, strategy, and a nurturing environment to foster thriving businesses.
The first year of the #TWEAGENDA has been dedicated to meticulously gathering data on the challenges faced by SMEs. This crucial groundwork involved a series of town hall meetings culminating in a finale event on August 2nd. Over a six-month period, the initiative engaged with more than 250 entrepreneurs representing diverse sectors, including beauty, creative industries, agriculture, fashion, and hospitality. These engagements fostered a dynamic exchange of experiences, allowing founders to share their struggles, network with peers, and gain valuable insights from industry experts. This data-driven approach underscores Wigwe’s commitment to developing solutions tailored to the specific needs of the Lagos SME community.
Wigwe’s emphasis on non-financial support distinguishes the #TWEAGENDA from many traditional entrepreneurial development programs. Recognizing that access to capital is only one piece of the puzzle, she has prioritized creating a supportive ecosystem where entrepreneurs can access the expertise and resources they need to navigate the complexities of building and scaling a business. The town hall sessions served as a platform for this exchange, connecting entrepreneurs with industry leaders and providing a safe space to discuss the unique hurdles they face. This approach underscores the understanding that sustainable growth requires a multi-faceted approach addressing both financial and non-financial barriers.
To translate the data gathered from the town halls into actionable solutions, Wigwe announced the formation of the #TWEAGENDA Think Tank. This team of professionals, nominated by the public, is tasked with analyzing the insights gleaned from the town hall sessions and developing innovative, non-financial solutions to address the identified challenges. The Think Tank comprises Dare Adebayo, Gbesan Olatunji, Abiola Adewole, Orlando Odejide, Amarachukwu Nwokokoro, and Yetunde Ajibade, a diverse group with expertise spanning various fields relevant to SME development. This collaborative approach leverages collective intelligence to create impactful solutions grounded in real-world experiences.
The Think Tank is already actively engaged in analyzing the gathered data and formulating strategic recommendations tailored to the needs of SMEs. Wigwe has assured participants that updates on the solutions being developed will be unveiled later in the year as the initiative progresses to its next phase. This commitment to transparency and continuous communication ensures that participating entrepreneurs remain informed about the initiative’s progress and can anticipate the tangible benefits of the #TWEAGENDA. The focus on data-driven solutions and the inclusion of a dedicated Think Tank highlights the initiative’s commitment to creating sustainable and impactful change within the SME landscape.
The #TWEAGENDA, spearheaded by Tochi Wigwe, represents a significant step towards fostering a more robust and supportive environment for SMEs in Lagos. By prioritizing data collection, strategic collaboration, and non-financial support, the initiative aims to address the root challenges faced by entrepreneurs and equip them with the tools they need to thrive. The involvement of industry experts, the establishment of the #TWEAGENDA Think Tank, and the commitment to developing tailored solutions demonstrate a holistic approach to empowering SMEs and fostering long-term economic growth within the region. The initiative’s focus on providing structure, strategy, and support, rather than solely focusing on funding, sets it apart and positions it as a potentially transformative force within the Lagos entrepreneurial ecosystem.
