Business Education
Practical tools and knowledge to build sustainable businesses.
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African Diaspora Women Entrepreneurs Network
Empowering African Diaspora Women Entrepreneurs to Build, Lead and Thrive.
ADWEN is a global community connecting African diaspora women entrepreneurs to knowledge, mentorship, opportunities, networks and collective economic power.
“Building a globally connected ecosystem where African diaspora women entrepreneurs thrive economically, lead boldly and shape inclusive markets.”
Our vision
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Women Entrepreneurs
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Countries Connected
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Mentors & Experts
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Programs & Events
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Strategic Partners
Our purpose
Why ADWEN Exists
African diaspora women entrepreneurs build across borders, systems and cultures — often without the support structures that make that possible.
- Limited access to culturally relevant mentorship
- Barriers to funding and formal business systems
- Isolation from trusted business networks
- Underrepresentation in mainstream economic ecosystems
- Challenges navigating legal, cultural, financial and social systems across borders
ADWEN is the ecosystem built to close those gaps — so that no African diaspora woman has to build her business alone.
Why ADWENMembership
What You Get as an ADWEN Member
Membership is designed around what actually moves a business forward — practical knowledge, real relationships and access.
Mentorship
Access to experienced entrepreneurs, professionals and mentors.
Learn moreLeadership Development
Build confidence, leadership capacity and strategic thinking.
Learn moreDigital Empowerment
Use technology, AI and digital tools to improve productivity and visibility.
Learn moreCommunity & Accountability
Build relationships with women who understand your journey.
Learn moreOpportunities
Discover partnerships, funding pathways, markets and growth opportunities.
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Our approach
Four pillars that hold the network together
Every ADWEN programme sits on one of these pillars — and most sit on all four.
Capacity Building
Structured education, masterclasses and business clinics that translate directly into stronger operations and revenue.
Learn moreCommunity & Accountability
Small accountability circles and peer networks that keep momentum going long after a session ends.
Learn moreEconomic Inclusion
Pathways to funding, formal business systems, markets and procurement that too often exclude diaspora founders.
Learn moreDigital Empowerment
Confident, practical adoption of digital tools and AI so small teams can compete far above their size.
Learn more
Programs
Featured programs
Structured, practical and built for women running real businesses.
EducationOpenBusiness Education
Foundations that make a business durable: model, pricing, operations, compliance.
- Who it's for
- Early-stage and growing business owners
- Format
- Online cohort · 8 weeks
- CommunityCohort forming
Mentorship
Culturally relevant mentorship matched to your sector, stage and market.
- Who it's for
- Members at any stage
- Format
- 6-month cycles · Online
- LeadershipOngoing
Leadership Development
Confidence, decision-making and strategic thinking for women leading teams.
- Who it's for
- Founders and senior professionals
- Format
- Workshops · Online & in-person
Events
Upcoming events
Conferences, masterclasses, clinics and circles — online, in person and hybrid.
- MasterclassOnlineOpen
Masterclass: AI Tools for Small Business Teams
A working session on the handful of AI tools that reduce admin load for a team of one to five.
- Date
- Wed, 14 October 2026
- Time
- 17:00 – 18:30 CET
- Location
- Zoom
- Price
- Free
- Business ClinicOnlineClosing soon
Business Clinic: Funding Readiness
Bring your funding documents and leave with a reviewed, sharper application.
- Date
- Thu, 5 November 2026
- Time
- 16:00 – 18:00 CET
- Location
- Zoom
- Price
- Members only
Leadership
A word from our founder
“ADWEN exists because too many of us have built alone. When an African diaspora woman entrepreneur has access to knowledge, mentorship and a network that understands her, her business changes — and so does the economy around her.”
Dr. Rene Anita Chombeng
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Global reach
One network, many markets
ADWEN members build across Africa, Europe, North America and beyond — and the network travels with them.
West Africa
Members across the region
Central Africa
Members across the region
East & Southern Africa
Members across the region
Western Europe
Members across the region
North America
Members across the region
Middle East & Asia
Growing presence
Member voices
“ADWEN gave me a room full of women who understood both my market and my context. I stopped guessing and started planning.”
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News
Latest from ADWEN
Insight, analysis and stories from across the network.
Featured story
Why diaspora women build differently — and what networks must do about it
Building a business across two or more systems is not the same as building in one. Support structures have to reflect that reality.
Read the storyFunding The funding readiness checklist we use in ADWEN business clinics
Most applications are not rejected for weak ideas. They are rejected for missing evidence.
ADWEN Programs Team · 5 August 2026 · 5 min read
Read moreTechnology AI for teams of one: where it genuinely saves hours
A practical look at the workflows worth automating first when you are the whole company.
ADWEN Editorial · 19 July 2026 · 4 min read
Read moreCommunity What makes an accountability circle actually work
Structure, small numbers and a fixed rhythm beat motivation every time.
ADWEN Community Team · 30 June 2026 · 4 min read
Read more
Partners
Built with institutions that back women's enterprise
ADWEN works with corporate, institutional, community and media partners to widen access for members.
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5 partnership tiers available.
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Stay Connected With ADWEN
Receive opportunities, resources, events and inspiration for African diaspora women entrepreneurs.