African Women's Entrepreneurship program this week in Nairobi

The US Sate Department and the Vital Voices Global Partnership is conducting follow-on training in Nairobi, Kenya, this week for the 2012 African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumnae. The workshop, which began Monday and ends on Friday, will focus on business strategic planning, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, export processes and documentation, and how to build a competitive business, the State Department announced on Monday night. The training is funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation as part of its commitment to support the economic advancement of women, the department noted. AWEP is an initiative launched by the State Department in 2010. It identifies and builds networks of women entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa "poised to transform their societies by owning, running and operating small and medium businesses, and by becoming voices for social advocacy in their communities." the announcement said. "This AWEP initiative, benefiting more than 120 participants from 44 African countries, leverages public-private partnerships to increase women's economic participation and address key barriers that women confront when starting and growing businesses."