Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) Chairperson Adaobi Okafor talks about redefining business leadership and breeding a new crop of female entrepreneurs

Africa is rapidly producing a new crop of women leaders in business, administration, management, technology and indeed every sphere of endeavour. The Chairperson of Grooming Endowment Trust (GET), Adaobi Okafor is one of such leaders. A graduate of the University of Benin, Adaobi’s professional journey began when she served as a National Youth Corps member at PWC. With a career spanning nearly two decades, she is renowned for her hard work, tenacity, passion, dedication and resilience needed to work under pressure. In this interview, she talks about herself, her growth in her chosen field of finance, and how these have built her into the business leader she is today.

Please tell us about yourself, Ms. Adaobi Okafor

I am a dedicated, results-driven and highly self-motivated woman who is passionate about making an impact, particularly in the aspect of women’s empowerment because women are the backbone of families and communities. They provide care, support, and nurturing to their families and play a very critical role in the development of children and the economic development of society. The strength of an empowered woman can change the world!

I’m also passionate about entrepreneurship because I believe it is the driving force behind economic progress, innovation, and societal change. It is the key driver of economic growth and development and creates job opportunities which is particularly important for developing countries like ours where poverty and unemployment are major issues.

Can you share a bit about your professional journey and how it has been advantageous in being the chairperson of GET?

I have a B.Sc in Accounting from the University of Benin and started my career as a youth Corps member in PwC, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where I worked on client tax and accounts preparation. I travelled to London, United Kingdom(UK) to further my career as a qualified chartered Accountant, ACCA, and now a Fellow. I’ve held several senior roles in the UK and am currently a Group Finance Director and Financial Consultant with over 18 years of experience and several non-executive director board roles. 

It’s been a journey indeed that required a lot of hard work, tenacity, passion, dedication and resilience needed to work under pressure and navigate through challenges that come with growing a business and working with people. I’ve been able to apply the skills, both hard and soft skills, experience and expertise gained over the years to steer GET in the right direction towards achieving our mission and objectives and making an impact in the community.

Tell us a bit about Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) and its support to businesses and what criteria do you consider when selecting businesses for equity-free funding?

Grooming Endowment Trust is an NGO aiming to advocate, support, contribute, and promote sustainable social initiatives around Nigeria and Africa. Hence, our biggest way of supporting our tagline “bringing ideas to life” is by supporting change makers through equity-free funding programs. 

We have a couple of factors we look out for when selecting businesses for equity-free funding. Some of these factors include;

Mission; If the mission of the business aligns with ours, then the business stands a chance of being selected. This means the business must work in the core areas of focus for GET.

Impact Potential; The initiatives we fund must ensure their impact can be measured and is significant to their target community.

Financial Feasibility; Equity-free may mean no strings attached, but is in no way throwing money to the wind. The businesses we onboard must show realistic projections that point towards financial sustainability in the long run, based on realistic assumptions.

See also: Five winners emerge as GET unveils 2023 cohort and up to N65m in equity-free funding

Are there specific industry or sector initiatives that Grooming Endowment Trust supports?

At GET, we have key focal areas that we support which are; healthcare, enterprise development, education, community development, and humanitarian relief. Thankfully, many businesses offer solutions in these areas, so we are not too restrictive concerning the industries we support. Our main goal remains to give a platform for young Africans to test their hypotheses and develop solutions that generate value for all.

What is the current ratio of female-funded business beneficiaries through Grooming Endowment Trust programs? 

At GET, inclusion and diversity are very important to us. We believe in equal opportunities for all and I am glad to say that we have been able to empower and support female-led businesses through our various programs. Our track record over the years shows that 40% of the total number of businesses supported are female-led. This was achieved not because a quota was set but because of the brilliant ideas and tenacity of these women.

How do you measure the success of your investments beyond financial returns?

While financial returns are important for long-term sustainability, at GET we measure success beyond them by focusing on the social impact created by our investments. Some key metrics we consider include but are not limited to; the number of lives impacted, general betterment of livelihood, empowerment of youth and women in communities, and sustainability of solutions. With these clear metrics, our partners and facilitators can measure how successful our programs and investments in these initiatives are. With this, lives are touched, stories are shared and successes are celebrated. 

What vision do you have for founders in your program, especially female-led founders?

My vision for all founders in our program, especially female-led founders is simple. I envision a thriving ecosystem where female founders have equal access to the resources, mentorship, and support they need to thrive and lead innovation within their chosen sectors. Most importantly, I envision female founders driving positive change not only for their businesses but also for their communities; where they become role models and changemakers inspiring other women and contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to take on leadership roles like yourself?

Embrace your strengths and find your voice: Believe in your unique abilities and perspectives. Don’t be afraid to express your ideas and champion your vision.

Develop your leadership skills: Continuously learn and refine your leadership style. Seek mentorship and role models who inspire you.

Build strong networks and connections: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who will encourage and challenge you.

Be bold and take calculated risks: Don’t shy away from opportunities. Step outside your comfort zone and embrace calculated risks to grow.

Empower others and pay it forward: As you climb the ladder, lift others with you. Mentor and support other women aspiring to leadership roles.

Stay resilient and maintain a growth mindset: Challenges and setbacks are inevitable. Focus on learning from them and persisting with unwavering determination.

Remember, leading with authenticity, passion, and a commitment to making a positive impact is key to success.