The Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, has successfully concluded its three-day Women Entrepreneurs Development Program (WEDP) Bootcamp. The transformative initiative was designed to equip female TAFTA alumni with practical tools, industry knowledge, and vital networks to transform their creative passions into sustainable businesses.
Held from October 27 to 29, 2025, the hybrid bootcamp brought together female creatives aged 18 to 35 for a comprehensive learning experience that combined virtual sessions on business fundamentals with an in-person showcase and pitch event at Terra Kulture.
The program addressed critical gaps in entrepreneurship education for women, with a focus on legal formalization, financial literacy, digital strategy, market access, and investor readiness.
Speaking about the initiative, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder of TAFTA, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to building sustainable pathways for women in the creative economy. “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. We are investing in a generation of women who will redefine what it means to succeed in Nigeria’s creative economy,” she said.
The first two days of the bootcamp were held virtually and focused on key areas of entrepreneurship such as business foundations, legal compliance, intellectual property, and digital strategy. Participants learned how to formalize their businesses, develop sustainable models, manage finances, and build effective digital marketing plans. Expert facilitators including David Agboto, Chinedu Isagbah, Faith Desmond, Adefunke Smith, Favour Ofem, and Uloma Nkemakolam led engaging sessions that connected business concepts to real-world challenges faced by women in the creative sector.
The final day featured a dynamic physical session at Terra Kulture, where participants showcased their progress through live pitch presentations before a panel of 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.
Joseph Umoibom, Academy Lead at TAFTA, highlighted the strategic importance of the program in advancing women’s participation in the creative economy. “The creative economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, yet women remain underrepresented in leadership and ownership positions,” he said. “Through WEDP, we are not only teaching business skills but also breaking barriers and building an ecosystem where women can access funding, forge 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.”
Participants received practical resources such as business templates, pitch deck guides, and access to microfinance information, along with continued mentorship opportunities. The program also introduced women-focused funding channels and created direct networking opportunities with potential investors and collaborators across the creative ecosystem.
By the end of the bootcamp, participants left with actionable business plans, strengthened digital strategies, and a renewed sense of purpose within a growing network of women entrepreneurs committed to mutual growth and support.
The initiative aligns with TAFTA’s mission to democratize access to quality arts education and build sustainable livelihoods for creative professionals across Nigeria.
The Women Entrepreneurs Development Program 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.
For more information about TAFTA’s Women Entrepreneurs Development Program and upcoming initiatives, visit www.terraacademyforarts.com or follow TAFTA on social media at @tafta_academy.
TCN reiterates that the 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, the academy equips young creatives with both technical skills and entrepreneurial capabilities that enable them to thrive in the global creative economy.
