Bridge Connect Africa Initiative successfully hosted the WAVES (Women Against Violence Empowered Through Sustainability) Showcase on April 16, 2026, at the El Farhan Event Center, Kano.
This marked the culmination of an intensive 8-month violence resilience and economic empowerment through a climate-smart agriculture program for 50 women agribusiness entrepreneurs.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, development organisations, and the media to celebrate the achievements of women who have undergone extensive training, mentorship, and business support to strengthen their positions within the agribusiness value chain.
The WAVES Showcase featured vibrant exhibitions of products and services from the participating women-led businesses, offering attendees a firsthand look at the innovation, resilience, and growth birthed from the climate smart agriculture and business development training.
Panel sessions, including discussions on “What Changed Me: Women Reflecting on Growth, Income, and Identity,” provided powerful insights into the personal and economic transformations experienced by participants.
The event also created a platform for meaningful engagement, as entrepreneurs connected with potential investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, fostering opportunities for collaboration and business expansion.
A spoken word performance and storytelling segments further enriched the experience, capturing the journeys of determination and progress that defined the WAVES program.
The event also captured the beneficiaries testimonies as they tell their stories live. Mardiyya, a beneficiary from Bichi Local Government says “I used to hawk from market to market to find buyers for my petty business but now i have an established business”.
Alawiyya also mentioned that she now has a cucumber farm as the only woman in her community owning a cucumber farm, courtesy of WAVES project.
Speaking during the event, representatives of Bridge Connect Africa Initiative reiterated the organization’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment: “The WAVES Showcase is not just a celebration of the past eight months, but a demonstration of what is possible when women are equipped with the right skills, support systems, and opportunities to thrive in agribusiness.”
The honorable commissioner for ministry of women affairs, special needs and children, Hon. S. Amina Abdullahi also calls on stakeholders to join in the journey.
In her words; “I call on all development partners to align across education, agriculture, skills, entrepreneurship, and traditional labour markets.
“If women are empowered through these pillars, they stand a real chance to challenge and reduce all forms of GBV.”
The successful hosting of the showcase underscores the growing importance of investing in women-led enterprises as a pathway to inclusive economic growth and sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.
The WAVES Project continues to stand as a model for impactful programming, bridging gaps in skills, access, and visibility for women in agribusiness, while inspiring broader conversations on gender inclusion and economic participation.
