NewAfricanWoman Issue 49 - Flipbook - Page 14
ON THE COVER
the youth are not able to deal with adversity. But on
the other hand, technology has also ignited creativity
and innovation which we can all bene昀椀t from. But my
message to every youth is: hold true to yourself and
work a little harder. Learn early to not have limitations
and remember that the biggest limitations are mostly
those set by oneself.”
Supporting the Creative Industries
Chinelo is also an unapologetic promoter of Africa’s
diverse creative sector — fashion included. And she
turned up for our interview draped in an exquisite
fabulously made Kimono by Nigerian designer Odio
Mimonet. “Personally, I wear a lot of fashion from
African designers. For me, the biggest ambassadors for
Africa are its creatives, from across the entire spectrum:
fashion, music, 昀椀lm, art, and sports. What African
creatives are doing now is so amazing. We started to see
pure genius when they stopped copying, and stepped
away from imitating what is perceived as fashion for
example. They are now beginning to soar, because they
are using what is within, using our culture, and then
turning it into pieces of art that are of global appeal
and style.”
According to Euromonitor International, Africa’s
fashion and apparel business is estimated to be worth
US $31 billion. Yet many African designers, talented as
they are, remain encumbered by limited access to the
means of production to help them scale up and make
the industry pro昀椀table.
Chinelo explains how the AIF is playing its part in the
industry by helping creatives to secure funding for
scaling. “We take pride in ensuring that no one is left
behind. And there lies some of my most rewarding
work,” she states though adding quickly: “However, we
need to be mindful when we say they need funding.
Many of them can't get funding because of the way they
have structured their business. It’s one thing to say I
want to scale up, I wish I had the money. What would
you do if you were given a million dollars? Sometimes
the answers we get do not have the requisite clarity,
and these conversations can be very dif昀椀cult with the
creatives.”
“At AIF we therefore, encourage the structuring of a
coherent narrative that would ultimately assist investors
in making an informed decision,” she explains placing
emphasis on the importance of preparation when
applying for funding, and concludes with a 昀椀rm, yet
昀椀tting message to African creatives:
“Don’t focus solely on your creativity, you need to make
your craft work for you. It is key to speak the language
that will assist you in achieving the investment you
require.”
Virtues and role models
Asked about her leadership heroes and role models,
Chinelo credits — with joyful pride — her parents, for
New African
African Woman
Woman l March
March 2023
2023
14 l New
the woman she has become. “Every time I have to make
an important decision, I hear either my father's or my
mother’s voice. My father, a pharmacist, is a strict and
highly principled disciplinarian. He taught me hard work
and commitment and always said: ‘You will succeed
only when you incorporate hard work as routine.’
And my mother is just phenomenal. She holds a PhD.
in English Language and lectured at the University of
Nigeria before she pivoted to the Banking Industry.
There, she earned the moniker ‘rainmaker’ because she
truly excelled at resource mobilisation. She has also
always been a prolific reader. To this day, she still reads
and writes copiously. I credit my love of books to her.
It’s the most incredible gift ever because the joy I derive
from reading is unparalleled.
My mother taught me never to let any circumstances
limit what I can achieve. She didn’t believe in eitheror and would say, for example: ‘The fact that a woman
wants to own or run a conglomerate does not mean her
homefront has to suffer. She can do both and excel at
both.’”
So how does a daughter of such discerning brainboxes
describe a New African Woman?
“Simply, a New African Woman is intelligent, smart,
driven, passionate, and compassionate. She is a
homemaker who does not drop her values just because
she is pursuing a career. She can do both — take care of
her home and family, while she is a CEO of a multibilliondollar company. She looks after herself and presents the
best of herself. She will step into a room, and everybody
will want to be like to be her. That is the power of a New
African Woman.”
■
“
There is a commitment
from both the AIF and the
project sponsors. There is
also the commitment of
investors because that is
the niche of the AIF — an
all-rounded conversation
with every component of
the ecosystem playing a
significant role.”