Amy Jadesimi, managing director of LADOL Free Zone, said the integrated logistics firm is presently developing infrastructure and facilities to support a range of sustainable entrepreneurs and SMEs globally.
According to her, LADOL would be developing innovative customised solutions for the West African market.
Jadesimi, who was one of the five industry leaders chosen to select the winner of the global ‘We Empower’ female entrepreneurship challenge at the recently held United Nations General Assembly week in New York, said investing in female entrepreneurs with sustainable business plans, was one of the most lucrative ways to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We Empower is putting brilliant female entrepreneurs on a global stage. All five awardees were impressive – both in terms of the bankability of their business models and their passionate dedication to the SDGs. These are the business models of the future,” said Jadesimi.
She said the mainstream financial sector is largely oblivious to such opportunities, meaning that they are also great undervalued investment opportunities.
“Sustainable businesses such as these will be the drivers of global prosperity. Eighty percent of the 680 million new jobs the world needs will come from SMEs. We need to exponentially expand the work of organisations such as We Empower, so that millions of sustainable businesses and business leaders can be identified and supported,” she suggested.
WE Empower, which is the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) challenge, is a global business competition for women entrepreneurs, who are advancing the UN’s SDG and inspiring entire communities to create the ideal world by 2030.
The challenge honoured five women entrepreneurs, one from each of the five UN regions, who are advancing the SDGs through their business practices. It recognises their innovative work, provides capacity-building, training sessions and high-level advocacy opportunities to the awardees, and ignites awareness about the valuable contribution women entrepreneurs can make toward the SDGs.
The awardees convened in New York City during the week of the UN General Assembly. The first major event was a dynamic pitch competition hosted by fashion designer, activist, and Vital Voices board member, Diane von Furstenberg, and judged by- Amy Jadesimi (MD LADOL) and others.
The $20,000 grant was awarded to Leah Lizarondo, CEO and co-founder, 412 Food Rescue but all five of the awardees were highly commended.
