She is an inspiring woman dedicated to bridging the economic gender gap in Nigeria. Her exceptional leadership, innovation, and social impact have earned her numerous awards and distinctions.

Ife Durosimi-Etti (photo) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, author, and advocate for women's economic empowerment. As the founder and CEO of Herconomy, she leads a community platform providing financial services, professional opportunities, and training for women in Nigeria. 

She graduated from Covenant University with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry in 2009 and earned a Master's degree in Global Business from Coventry University in 2012.

She initially launched Herconomy, in 2018, as AGS Tribe, a community dedicated to networking and empowering young female entrepreneurs and professionals. The community has now evolved to become a fintech company that empowers women through grants and scholarships. The company offers women savings opportunities. Through its academy, it offers online courses on entrepreneurship, business management, and digital, from coding to artificial intelligence to digital marketing.

"On our platform, you will not just save and earn high interests, but you will also save as you spend on things that you need on a day-to-day basis. We believe that women cannot be empowered through bank accounts alone, they need community, capacity and access to opportunities that can move them, their businesses or careers to the next level and we are providing just that through our platform. We are building a world where women can connect, save, earn and thrive," explained Ife Durosimi-Etti in 2022.

Herconomy is a community of over 100,000 women. The company has already awarded over 100 grants. In June 2023, it was selected for the third cohort of Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund.

A volunteer with the Global Shapers Community, Ife Durosimi-Etti is, since 2017, the project manager of Dome, a project launched to bridge the gender gap through the socio-economic empowerment of women in Nigeria. Before Herconomy, she co-founded Parliamo Bambini, a baby furniture marketing company in Nigeria.

She began her professional career in 2009 at Standard Chartered Bank where she was an Operations Analyst. A British Red Cross volunteer between 2010 and 2012, she was Customer Relations Manager for Arcadia Group, a fashion retailer in the UK, during the same period. Between 2012 and 2017, she worked at Nigerian Breweries Plc. 

Her works have been celebrated with several awards. In 2017, she received an award from the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, in recognition of her contribution to women's empowerment. In 2018, she also received the Women's Advocacy Award from the West African Leadership Organization for her dedication to socio-economic development and equality in West Africa. In 2021, she was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, a flagship US government program for young African leaders.

Melchior Koba