L-R: Nnoma Johnson Chukwu, Thema Chukwu, Rabia Wanka and Bassie Adie at the WIEN fireside conversation
-Felix Douglas
Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s energy sector have identified credibility, market acceptance and competition from established industry players as major challenges confronting women-owned businesses, particularly those seeking to break into traditionally male-dominated areas of the industry.
This emerged during a fireside chat at the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) Gala Awards Night held in Lagos where accomplished women in the energy industry shared their professional experiences and discussed the realities of building and sustaining businesses in the sector.
Speaking during the fireside, the women disclosed that establishing credibility was a biggest challenge when some of them began their entrepreneurial journey.
They explained that convincing prospective clients to patronise companies were particularly difficult because competing against contractors who had spent decades establishing their businesses, building relationships and earning recognition within the industry.
According to the speakers, the challenge was not simply establishing a company but demonstrating that a relatively new business could deliver quality services and compete effectively with more established industry operators.
Some of the women highlighted the difficulty of gaining the confidence of clients who were accustomed to working with long-standing contractors, noting that building trust and proving the company’s capacity were critical to overcoming the initial barriers.
The discussion provided an opportunity for participants to examine the less-publicised challenges of female entrepreneurship, including the effort required to establish professional credibility, secure business opportunities and navigate a competitive industry.
Mrs. Bassey Adie who moderated the fireside chat described the chat as a platform for relaxed and candid conversations, designed to explore practical experiences and issues that might not receive sufficient attention at conventional industry conferences.
The session also underscored the importance of creating opportunities for women to share their experiences, exchange ideas and encourage emerging female professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in Nigeria’s energy value chain.
As the industry continues to pursue greater inclusion and broader participation, the experiences shared at the event highlighted the need for sustained support, stronger business networks and increased recognition of women’s capacity to contribute to the growth of the energy sector.
Comment here