MONROVIA – Reset Global People has nominated Ms Leelai Kpukuyou as the only Liberian to the list of TOP 100 Women CEOs in Africa.
Reset Global People is one of Africa’s largest non-governmental organizations on the frontline of advocating for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the continent.
The nomination is an annual ranking established to highlight and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of Women CEOs aligned with the SDGS in Africa
Ms Kpukuyou is an Entrepreneur with over fifteen years in business including Real Estate and Minimart. She is the Founder and Executive Director of African Youth and Women Empowerment Initiative (AYOWEI), CEO of Mini Mall Enterprise Inc. and former Secretary General of the Liberia Business Association.
Through her AYOWEI, Ms Kpukuyou empowers women and youth through entrepreneurship to become financially independent to contribute to the social economic development of Liberia.
Speaking to a team of reporters upon notified about her nomination, Madame Kpukuyou said she was surprised.
“I am humbled by the nomination but to be honest, being a Liberian Business woman; I was not expecting nor anticipating such recognition. I did not know how I became nominated by whom, considering that it is a continental nomination I was totally humbled and surprised once I heard about the nomination”.
Madame Leelai Kpukuyou said though she had no idea about how she was nominated, she always has at the back of her mind there are people watching and keeping track of what “you do” in society.
“Well, my work is a reflection of what needs to be done among women, what needs to be done within the private sector….and I am not working as a business woman and taking on my corporate social responsibilities because of these nominations, I am doing it because I feel that being in business it is my responsibility to bring a positive light on entrepreneurship as a whole and women in entrepreneurship and ensure that whatever I can do to effect society positively though my platform as a business woman, I do so inconsideration of my social corporate responsibility”.
Ms Kpukuyou is nominated along with women like Isabel dos Santos, an Angolan billionaire businesswoman and the eldest child of Angola’s former President José Eduardo dos Santos and Linda Ifeoma Ikeji, a Nigerian blogger, writer, entrepreneur and former model.
The CEO of Mini Mall Enterprise Inc. sees her nomination as recognition of all Liberian Woman.
“Knowing that we were able to make this list, I don’t see it as recognition just to me as a person; I see it as raising the profile of Liberian women in businesses, and I feel that this win is dedicated to all Liberian Women especially those mothers that are working in markets”.
She called on enterprising Liberian women in business to see business as a career. Ms Kpukuyou encouraged more Liberian women to get involved in the private sector to help government stimulate Economic growth through job creation.
“The one sector that will not fail you is the private sector. I say that with confidence because I have been there all these years. You should know how to diversify, the strategies you implore in order to remain at bay. I want to encourage those inspiring, smart Liberian women entrepreneur out there to continue doing what they are doing. But they should do it with purpose – purpose that will transform society for the better”.
Meanwhile, the nominees will attend a Summit to be hosted in the Nigerian Commercial City of Lagos next year in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).