About ADWEN
A network built so African diaspora women don't build alone.
African Diaspora Women Entrepreneurs Network
Who we are
An ecosystem, not a mailing list
ADWEN — the African Diaspora Women Entrepreneurs Network — is a global community of women of African descent building businesses across borders. We bring together business education, mentorship, leadership development and digital capability in one connected ecosystem.
Our members are founders, consultants, professionals and business owners operating between African markets and markets across Europe, North America and beyond. What they share is ambition — and a set of barriers that generic business support does not address.
Why we exist
African diaspora women entrepreneurs frequently face limited access to culturally relevant mentorship, barriers to funding and formal business systems, isolation from trusted networks, underrepresentation in mainstream economic ecosystems, and the complexity of navigating legal, cultural, financial and social systems across borders. ADWEN was created to close those gaps deliberately rather than incidentally.
Our approach
Four pillars carry every programme we deliver: capacity building, community and accountability, economic inclusion, and digital empowerment. Together they turn individual effort into collective economic power.
Mission & vision
What we are working toward
Mission
To empower African diaspora women entrepreneurs to build sustainable and scalable businesses through culturally grounded leadership development, digital innovation, mentorship, and collective economic action.
Vision
A globally connected ecosystem where African diaspora women entrepreneurs thrive economically, lead boldly, and shape inclusive markets across borders and generations.
Our values
How we work
Cultural Grounding
Support that begins with who our members are, not who a template assumes them to be.
Excellence
Practical, rigorous programmes that hold up in real markets.
Collective Power
What we build together is stronger than what any of us builds alone.
Integrity
Clear commitments, honest numbers, and follow-through.
Courage
Leading visibly, negotiating firmly, and asking for what the work is worth.
Generosity
Members who have crossed a threshold help the next woman across it.
Our approach
Four pillars
Capacity Building
Structured education, masterclasses and business clinics that translate directly into stronger operations and revenue.
Community & Accountability
Small accountability circles and peer networks that keep momentum going long after a session ends.
Economic Inclusion
Pathways to funding, formal business systems, markets and procurement that too often exclude diaspora founders.
Digital Empowerment
Confident, practical adoption of digital tools and AI so small teams can compete far above their size.
Our impact
The network in numbers
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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