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Inya Lawal is a social entrepreneur with a mission to create meaningful change. She is the founder of Ascend Studios Foundation, an organization dedicated to capacity building and the social, educational, and economic empowerment of women and youth. Inya serves as the lead program partner to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a U.S. government initiative that equips women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and funding they need to launch and grow their businesses.
She oversees a dynamic community of both emerging and established business leaders across diverse industries. In 2019, she was one of just 19 participants selected globally for the prestigious Fortune Most Powerful Women’s Mentoring Program. Inya is also the founder of the Africa Creative Market (ACM), Global Tech Africa (GTA), and the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference — platforms that bring together major players across Africa’s creative, technology, and trade sectors to drive innovation, economic growth, and global partnerships.
Inya serves on the board of Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) and is the president of Women in Film and Television Africa (WIFT Africa).
In this interview with IFEOMA OKEKE-KORIEOCHA, she reflects on her journey, the evolution of her work, and how her conferences and initiatives are transforming industries, creating opportunities, and giving African entrepreneurs and businesses the visibility they need on the global stage.
Could you tell us what is different about this year’s Science of Trade Conference (SOT) from the one you did last year?
Absolutely. One of the things we are very intentional about at the Science of Trade Conference is evolving with purpose. After every edition, we carefully reflect on the trade gaps and opportunities identified by participants and stakeholders to ensure that the next edition is even more impactful. Last year, one of the most critical challenges raised was access to market — and that insight shaped this year’s theme: Access to Market.
Since last year’s event, we’ve been thrilled to witness an outpouring of success stories from past participants. The testimonials have continued to come in, even during this year’s event, underscoring the real-world impact of the platform we’ve built.
This year, we moved from conversations to a more practical approach. We introduced a dedicated trade and export readiness program, giving participants a deep dive into the mechanics of trade with expert facilitators guiding the sessions.
Importantly, we also selected 20 standout brands from last year’s SOT for a trade mission to Washington, D.C., giving them invaluable exposure to the U.S. market and helping position them for global growth.
Another exciting development this year is the introduction of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon. Last year, we welcomed the AfCFTA National Coordinator as a speaker; this year, we’ve deepened that collaboration by partnering with the AfCFTA National Coordination Office in Nigeria to host the hackathon. It’s a dynamic new platform bringing together young innovators and tech talent to develop solutions that will advance Africa’s digital trade framework.
In essence, the Science of Trade Conference has evolved into a platform that not only empowers entrepreneurs and businesses but also provides the practical tools, global exposure, and collaborative innovation needed to help African brands thrive on the world stage.
I always wonder how you pull all of these things you do. You have businesses, SMEs and regulators you always pull together for your events. How do you do these things?
At the heart of everything we do — and this certainly includes the Science of Trade Conference — is the commitment to building and strengthening the entire ecosystem. We are very intentional about bringing all the critical players together in one space. We understand that we cannot advance trade and entrepreneurship without the active involvement of government, without the innovation and drive of entrepreneurs, and without the support of the institutions designed to facilitate trade processes.
Our priority has always been to make SOT a true one-stop shop for businesses and entrepreneurs. Whether someone is facing challenges with certification, logistics, market access, or simply needs the right knowledge and connections, we want them to come to SOT and find practical solutions. It’s not accidental — it’s a conscious, deliberate effort to ensure that every key stakeholder, every ecosystem partner, is present and available to engage.
That’s the power of SOT: creating a space where entrepreneurs, policymakers, regulators, and industry experts can meet, exchange ideas, solve problems, and forge partnerships that drive real progress.
What success stories have you recorded from last year with SOT?
We’ve been incredibly proud to witness a wave of success stories emerge from last year’s Science of Trade Conference. The progress many of our past participants have made has been nothing short of inspiring, and their impact was strongly felt at this year’s event.
This year saw the launch of several exciting products and business expansions. Nexus of Nature, Daraya Wellness with its Oyin Ade line, and Chow Noodle Bar with its Ultimate Sauce all made their official debuts. FashionEvo, which has grown substantially since last year, returned not just as an exhibitor but as an event partner. SheCluded also exhibited, offering loans to women entrepreneurs and expanding its footprint in financial inclusion.
In partnership with Vital Voices, we hosted a U.S. trade showcase that connected these and other entrepreneurs with buyers, investors, and advisors, while also supporting some of them in setting up U.S.-based entities — an important step toward accessing global markets.
We also marked a major milestone by hosting the 7th anniversary of NICERT, Nigeria’s national certification body, where they renewed their commitment to certifying 1,000 businesses over the next year. NICERT’s Managing Director was one of our key speakers last year, and we’re pleased to see that relationship deepen.
Another major highlight was the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon, which produced winning teams that secured ₦10 million from NITDA and ₦20 million from AfCFTA — a significant boost for young innovators building solutions to strengthen Africa’s digital trade ecosystem.
The conference has also directly contributed to solving real challenges. For instance, customs officials who attended last year helped resolve clearance delays for at least three entrepreneurs. Participants also secured funding through partners like SheVentures, leading us to extend and strengthen that partnership this year.
One of the most rewarding outcomes has been the mentorship ecosystem that has formed. Several speakers from last year have continued to guide and support attendees, helping them scale and sustain their businesses.
The success stories keep pouring in — and that, for us, is the most powerful proof of impact.
Across your conferences focused on technology, creative industries, trade, and programs centered on women, youth, and others — what would you say is the central mission and vision driving these platforms?
At the heart of everything we do is a shared mission: to drive economic prosperity for all, champion sustainability, and ensure businesses and entrepreneurs — from women and youth to startups and established enterprises — have access to the resources they need to thrive. Our vision is to create platforms that don’t just spark conversations but open doors, connect ecosystems, and build pathways to long-term success.
We believe progress happens when all the right voices are in the room — government, entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, and ecosystem enablers. That’s why our conferences are intentionally designed to bring these diverse players together. We create the space for dialogue, collaboration, and collective problem-solving — ensuring that policies, opportunities, and investments are informed by real-world experiences and grounded in shared goals.
Whether it’s the Africa Creative Market, which connects local and international stakeholders to drive trade in the creative sector; Science of Trade (SOT), which focuses on simplifying trade processes and bringing key actors together to accelerate progress; or Global Tech Africa (GTA), which unites stakeholders across the tech ecosystem — the vision remains the same.
The only real difference across these conferences is the industry focus. But the DNA is the same: create platforms that foster collaboration, unlock opportunities, and deliver real, measurable outcomes across sectors.
Would it be fair to describe you as a woman bringing businesses together and giving them visibility?
I would say the work is really about creating spaces where meaningful connections and collaborations can happen. It’s about curating environments that spark opportunity — where businesses, ideas, and people are seen, valued, and positioned to grow. For me, it’s less about being at the center and more about facilitating a platform that allows others to shine, scale, and make an impact across industries.
Your programs often feature recurring partnerships with the U.S. government. Why is there such a strong U.S. connection in your work?
I’m an alumna of the U.S. government’s Fortune Most Powerful Women’s Mentoring Program, which I was honored to join in 2019. That experience was truly transformative. I had ideas and ambitions before the program, but being paired with senior executives at Goldman Sachs through the mentorship gave me the clarity and tools to bring those ideas to life in a structured and impactful way.
When I returned to Nigeria, the U.S. Consulate, which had nominated and sponsored me, saw the tangible results of that experience — the programs, initiatives, and platforms I began building. They’ve since continued to support and collaborate on many of these efforts.
In many ways, I’m a product of that mentorship journey, and the partnership endures because it’s grounded in shared values: advancing entrepreneurship, creating opportunity, and driving meaningful impact.
Did you ever imagine yourself doing this work 20 years ago? How did this journey begin for you?
I’ve always been drawn to the power of connection — to the idea that when you bring the right people into the same room, something extraordinary can happen. While I may not have predicted the scale or shape of my work today, the instinct to convene, to create space for opportunity, and to build something larger than myself has always been there.
Over the years, that instinct has evolved into a mission: to build platforms that don’t just create moments, but movements — spaces that catalyze progress across industries, unlock potential, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard.
What’s guided me through it all is a deep belief in the ripple effect of impact. You may start with a single idea or gathering, but when done with intention, it can spark change that travels far beyond what you imagined. For me, that’s the real privilege of this journey — watching ideas turn into ecosystems, and seeing people rise because the right doors were opened at the right time.
