By Mohammed Taoheed
The Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has empowered dozens of young women to take on leadership roles in Nigeria’s booming creative economy.
A three-day hybrid Women Entrepreneurs Development Programme (WEDP) Bootcamp, which ran from 27 to 29 October, brought together female alumni of TAFTA aged 18 to 35, equipping them with practical tools, industry knowledge, and networks required to turn their creative talents into sustainable enterprises.
The bootcamp was designed to address critical gaps in entrepreneurship education for women, with a focus on legal formalisation, financial literacy, digital strategy, market access, and investor readiness.
Building creative entrepreneurs, not just artists
Speaking at the closing session, the founder of TAFTA, Bolanle Austen-Peters, reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to building sustainable pathways for women in the creative economy beyond artistic training.
“At TAFTA, we believe that talent without opportunity is potential unfulfilled. This bootcamp reflects our commitment to ensuring that the women we train do not only become skilled artists but confident entrepreneurs capable of building, growing, and scaling businesses that transform their communities,” she said.
According to Ms Austen-Peters, the programme represents a deliberate investment in a new generation of women redefining success in Nigeria’s creative economy.
From business foundations to investor readiness
The first two days of the bootcamp were held virtually, focusing on business fundamentals such as legal compliance, financial literacy, intellectual property, and digital strategy.
Participants learnt how to formalise their businesses, develop sustainable models, manage finances, and leverage digital platforms for visibility and growth.
Expert facilitators, including David Agboto, Chinedu Isagbah, Faith Desmond, Adefunke Smith, Favour Ofem, and Uloma Nkemakolam, led sessions that bridged theoretical concepts with the practical challenges faced by women in the creative industry.
A showcase of vision and innovation
The final day of the programme culminated in a dynamic physical session at Terra Kulture, where participants pitched their progress before mentors, investors, and industry stakeholders.
Sessions on funding opportunities, partnership strategies, and storytelling for investment were facilitated by Juliet Ibhadiyi and Bayo Babatunde, equipping participants with the confidence and clarity to communicate their business ideas effectively. The atmosphere was charged with creativity and purpose as the women demonstrated how they plan to scale their ventures and contribute meaningfully to the creative economy.
The pitches reflected both creativity and strategic thinking, as participants demonstrated how they plan to expand their ventures and contribute to Nigeria’s growing creative economy.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the programme in advancing women’s participation in the creative economy, TAFTA’s Academy Lead, Joseph Umoibom, said:
“The creative economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, yet women remain underrepresented in leadership and ownership roles. Through WEDP, we are not only teaching business skills but also breaking barriers and building an ecosystem where women can access funding, form partnerships, and take their rightful place as industry leaders. The innovation we witnessed during the pitch sessions shows that these women are the future of the creative industry.”
From training to transformation
Participants left with practical business templates, pitch deck guides, and access to microfinance and mentorship opportunities. The bootcamp also introduced women-focused funding channels and direct networking opportunities with potential investors and collaborators across the creative ecosystem.
By the end of the programme, the women had crafted actionable business plans and strengthened their digital strategies, united by a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration in Nigeria’s creative economy.
About TAFTA
Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) is a leading creative education institution dedicated to nurturing artistic talent and building sustainable creative careers in Nigeria. Through innovative programs across various artistic disciplines, TAFTA equips young creatives with both technical skills and entrepreneurial capabilities that enable them to thrive in the global creative economy.
The Women Entrepreneurs Development Program (WEDP) Bootcamp represents a major milestone in TAFTA’s commitment to gender equity in the creative sector. It demonstrates that when women are equipped with the right tools, resources, and opportunities, they do not just participate in the creative economy; they redefine it.
