Our Story

About Economy Shapers

Born from a conviction that Africa's most powerful resource is its women — and a commitment to ensuring they are prepared, empowered, and positioned to lead.

Who We Are

A Movement Built on a Bold Conviction

Economy Shapers was founded on a simple but powerful observation: Africa's young women are talented, driven, and full of potential — but they are consistently underprepared for the world that awaits them.

Too many graduate without clarity. Too many enter the marketplace without confidence. Too many have great ideas but no structured pathway to bring them to life. Economy Shapers was built to change that.

We are a Pan-African leadership and economic advancement movement. Through our three flagship programs — Girls Who Mean Business, the Emerging Leaders Fellowship, and Dear African Mom — we build the next generation of women leaders, founders, and change-makers across the continent.

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Our Mission

To develop the next generation of African women leaders, founders, and economic contributors

By providing structured pathways, practical training, mentorship, and community — we close the gap between ambition and achievement.

Our Vision

A continent where African women are not just participants, but leaders shaping industries and global narratives

From campuses to boardrooms, from ideas to impact — we are building economy shapers across Africa.

What Guides Us

Our Core Values

🌱

Preparation Over Perfection

We believe in equipping women before the moment arrives — so they step into opportunity ready, not reactive.

🤝

Community & Sisterhood

We build ecosystems, not just programs. The relationships forged in our spaces last a lifetime.

🌍

Pan-African Identity

We think continentally. Our solutions are designed for Africa's unique context, diversity, and opportunity.

💡

Practical Excellence

We measure success by transformation, not just participation. Our programs produce results.

🔓

Access & Inclusion

Great talent exists everywhere. We build pathways that reach beyond privilege, geography, and circumstance.

🏆

Leadership as a Lifestyle

We don't just teach leadership — we model it, live it, and build cultures where it thrives.

Our Journey

How We Got Here

🌱

2019

Economy Shapers Founded

The movement launches with the Girls Who Mean Business Club at the first university campus in Nigeria.

🏫

2020–2021

Campus Expansion

GWMB chapters grow to 6+ campuses. Virtual programming launches during the pandemic, reaching women across borders.

🏆

2022

Emerging Leaders Fellowship Launched

ESELF launches its first cohort, equipping 50+ young graduates for the marketplace with a structured accelerator program.

💌

2023

Dear African Mom Platform Launches

A new vertical for mothers building brands — beginning with a weekly newsletter and growing into a full community.

🌍

2025–2026

Pan-African Expansion

Economy Shapers now operates across 8+ African countries with 5,000+ women impacted and a growing global community.

Join the Movement

Be Part of Something Bigger

Whether you want to join a program, partner with us, or support the movement — we want to hear from you.

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