Belo-Osagie, 26 years old from Lagos,
attended Princeton University and completed degrees in history and finance before coming back to Nigeria to enrich women through her organisation. In 2014, on her return to Nigeria, Belo-Osagie seized the opportunity to form her own start-up, together with Afua Osei. They called it She Leads Africa.
It was a platform on which young women across Africa can create and share entrepreneurial ideas.
It provides support for their ideas and access to professionals who can assist with advice and funding to turn start-ups into major business enterprises. In her own word; “[This is] an opportunity to create a brand that’s an inspiration for women … Women need to realise that their horizons are unlimited and they can go far beyond their expectations through hard work, grit and perseverance”.
Belo-Osagie and her partner hit on the idea after realising the need for leading women in Nigeria and the rest of the continent. “I remember growing up and thinking that there weren’t enough female role models who were achieving what I wanted to achieve.”
The enthusiasm for her organisation is palpable when Belo-Osagietalks about the potential of women leaders taking Africa to new heights through their businesses.
In a world where business is dominated by men, cultural constraints prevent women from networking, Belo-Osagie highlights that women should create their own networks and forums where they can meet each other and develop each other. Another issue is getting financial backing for female headed business ventures. She explains that finance will always be a challenge for start-ups, “banks need to become more creative with their lending” especially when it comes to women.
By watering the seed of undiscovered young women with bright ideas, Belo-Osagie hopes that She Leads Africa will become a symbol of female strength for women who are not afraid to break through social, cultural and financial constraints.