It is my starting point, and it has offered me an unexpected advantage: being the only one sharpens your awareness. You notice what others overlook.

Early in my career, I believed that dedication and results alone would be enough to transform this industry. But I have since realized that progress demands more than just individual determination -it requires intentional, collective action.

Years later, the landscape has shifted: more women attend conferences, more enter junior roles, and more appear in the photos that fill diversity reports. Yet in the rooms where real decisions are made, silence persists.

Those spaces remain emptier – and quieter – than they should be. So yes, frankly, I’m weary of watching women’s day celebrations substitute for change.

In my industry, this matters even further because energy is not just about pipelines and power. Energy is about who gets light, who gets jobs, who gets opportunity.

When half the population is absent from those decisions, we build systems that serve everyone imperfectly. I witnessed the impact of this firsthand.

In Uganda, a family was being compensated for property affected by a project. The husband spoke; the wife listened. But when asked about the family’s needs, about what fair compensation really meant, it was the wife who had the answers.

She knew what the household required. She knew who in the community would be affected. She knew because she lived it every day.

That moment changed how I think about influence.

But influence is also about who leads projects, who manages budgets, and who sits on executive committees.

In Mozambique, I witnessed a mid-level engineer – a woman – identify a technical flaw that had eluded everyone else. She spoke up, her voice calm yet unmistakably authoritative.

The room listened. The plan changed. That, too, is influence. It happens when women are not merely present but empowered to challenge, question, and correct.

At TotalEnergies, I have seen what happens when we design for that kind of influence. In our Tilenga and EACOP projects, compensation requires both spouses’ signatures.

Joint bank accounts are mandatory. Financial literacy training reaches both partners. These are small shifts with enormous impact. They work because they recognize that women deserve more than just a place at the table.

In our affiliate in Nigeria, important strides have been made in recent years with intentional diverse hiring practices.

As a result, over half of the senior roles filled between 2022 and 2024 went to women. This wasn’t the result of quotas, but of deliberate investment in talent pipelines that made such progress possible, proof that when influence is shared, outcomes improve.

This is what I carry into every boardroom. Not frustration at being the only woman, but a quiet responsibility.

To notice what others might not. To ask questions that need to be asked. To ensure that the next generation of African women in this industry has more than a seat. They have influence.

But real influence requires a shared commitment. I urge women: seek out opportunities, develop new skills, and step boldly into leadership.

I call on companies: create mentorship, training, and policies that allow women to grow and lead. Together, let us actively enable women to drive innovation and guide the future of energy.

The energy transition underway in Africa is the most profound economic shift of our lifetime. It will determine who prospers and who struggles for generations.

We must act now – women must claim their voices and roles in this transition. If we do not, we risk building an energy future as unequal as in the past.

I believe we can do better.

So, I will keep walking into those rooms. I will keep learning from the women I meet along the way. I will give to gain, and I will keep pushing for the kind of deliberate design that turns mere presence into power.

As we mark this month dedicated to the fight for women’s rights everywhere, the goal is not simply more women at the table. The goal is building the table we deserve.

Marieme-Sav Sow is a Senegalese energy executive, currently VP for Engagement & Advocacy for TotalEnergies EP Africa. A trailblazer, she served as Managing Director in Madagascar and made history as the first woman president of the National Petroleum Association (GPM). A vocal advocate for gender equality and workplace diversity, Marieme-Sav has received numerous recognitions for her leadership including Africa’s Top 50 Women in Management and the Woman CEO of the Year awards. 

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Africa Credit Expo (ACE) 2025 by Dr Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, MD/CEO of CreditRegistry, and Mrs Maureen Mba, head of the MANSA Digital Initiative at Afreximbank.

The agreement links Nigeria’s pioneering credit bureau with MANSA, Afreximbank’s flagship due diligence platform under the Africa Trade Gateway, a digital ecosystem created to unlock intra-African trade.

MANSA acts as a single trusted source of KYC and compliance data for businesses, banks and SMEs, helping firms prove their credibility in both regional and global markets. 

During the signing, Mrs Mba noted MANSA’s purpose: “deepen cross-border trust and equip African businesses with the credibility and confidence that they need to thrive in global trade.”

Both institutions say the collaboration will help African businesses gain visibility and credibility in regional and global markets. They describe the partnership as a joint initiative aimed at closing long-standing gaps in identity, verification and financial literacy across the continent.

Under the partnership, CreditRegistry and Afreximbank will onboard thousands of African businesses onto the MANSA platform. They will also deliver financial literacy and compliance training to MSMEs, build capacity for responsible borrowing, and create a more transparent environment for cross-border transactions. 

The institutions say this will make more African enterprises “visible, credible and bankable.”

The signing also highlighted CreditRegistry’s long history in enhancing Nigeria’s credit infrastructure. Dr Sharrieff-Ayedun recalled how millions of Africans had long faced blocked opportunities due to the lack of verifiable credit history. 

That changed when CreditRegistry established Nigeria’s first credit bureau, an effort that later introduced biometric technology into credit reporting and helped pave the way for the Bank Verification Number system.

Over the years, the organisation supported several initiatives to expand financial literacy. These include the Africa Consumer Credit Academy and public awareness programmes that reached more than a million Nigerians. 

Last year alone, the group completed 73 webinars and in-person sessions sponsored by industry partners. The company has also launched youth-focused initiatives, such as Project Launchpad, designed to guide young Africans towards financial independence.

Another ongoing initiative, “On The Streets: Naija Tours,” captures real voices and personal stories about the meaning of credit, financial struggles and the desire for better opportunities. 

These programmes, the organisers said, align with the everyday realities of young Africans, many of whom are ambitious but lack guidance and access to credit tools.

The Africa Credit Expo itself has evolved into a regional point of convergence, bringing together regulators, innovators and more than 90 stakeholders from across the continent. Its mission is to connect, empower and ensure trust in Africa’s financial systems.

CreditRegistry and Afreximbank aim to enhance that mission. Their shared commitment, they said, is to strengthen the backbone of Africa’s financial ecosystem and push the continent closer to a self-sustaining future where businesses can trade with confidence across borders.

But on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, during QNET’s exclusive webinar themed “Beyond VCON: Media Insights from VCON 2025”, a group of Nigerian journalists sought to challenge that instinct with first-hand experiences from the company’s V-Convention in Penang, Malaysia.

The webinar, held via Zoom, brought together journalists, editors, and media executives who attended QNET’s flagship convention, a global event that hosted over 10,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators from more than 50 countries. 

The webinar was a post-convention reflection space for participants to share their experiences, discuss lessons on ethical business practices, and explore the future of direct selling within Nigeria’s digital economy.

Moderated by Thelma Ilems, the webinar featured seasoned journalists Sulaiman Aledeh, Adeyemi Adepetun of The Guardian, and Juliet Umeh of Vanguard Newspaper. Also present was Ayokunmi O. Solesi, QNET’s general manager for sub-Saharan Africa.

Ayokunmi O. Solesi, in his comments, outlined QNET’s three guiding pillars: empowerment, community, and innovation. He described the convention as “a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and purpose,” adding that QNET’s mission goes beyond selling products.

“QNET isn’t just about selling products; it’s about building responsibly, sharing success stories selflessly, and ensuring we lift others as we grow,” Solesi said. “That’s what true entrepreneurship means, creating opportunities, adding value, and helping others rise.”

QNET Wins Gold Stevie Award for Anti-Fraud Campaign Protecting Consumers Across Africa

He also noted that QNET’s Gold Stevie Award for Consumer Protection stands as proof of its commitment to transparency and ethical business practices. Solesi further hinted at new product innovations aimed at enhancing wellness and improving energy and balance without addiction.

Describing the event as “not a make-believe session, but an avenue to relive and recount authentic experiences from Malaysia,” Thelma stressed that QNET’s purpose was to give room for transparency, ethics, and the real essence of direct selling.

Sulaiman Aledeh, sharing his experience, spoke about QNET’s innovation and product quality. “Never in the life of anyone have we seen one company with so much all about elevating,” he said. He commended QNET’s product range, from skincare to air purifiers, and urged Nigerians to embrace the direct selling opportunity.

Journalists’ Firsthand Experiences

Recounting his trip, The Guardian’s Adeyemi Adepetun described VCON 2025 as “a sublime experience.” He further noted: “The hospitality was awesome. From the airport to the hotel, everything was well-coordinated.” 

He commended the sheer scale of the event, attended by over 10,000 people, and expressed admiration for QNET’s efficiency and product innovations in wellness and energy solutions.

“There is an unusual energy around me since returning,” he added, referencing QNET’s pendant and wellness patch products.

Adepetun also acknowledged the company’s collaboration with Nigerian regulators and law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to tackle misinformation and fraudulent activities in the direct selling space.

For Vanguard’s Juliet Umeh, the experience was equally memorable. She spoke about QNET’s authenticity, saying, “If you were there, you would know that QNET is real,” she stated, stressing that the public must end the act of speaking without facts.

She spotlighted the company’s collaboration with local authorities and regulators to ensure ethical practices. Sharing a lighter moment, she recalled the hospitality and cultural exposure: “The Malaysians made us feel at home. The food, the people, even the driver, everyone made sure we didn’t frown for once.”

Juliet also highlighted how QNET’s philosophy of “Raise Yourself to Help Mankind (RYTHM)” translates into its empowerment and wellness initiatives. She applauded the company’s wellness-focused products, including the Amezcua Chi Pendant 4, Amezcua Bio Disc 3, Q Alive, and E-Guard, which she said help consumers mitigate radiation exposure, restore energy balance, and promote healthy living.

Both journalists described visits to Penang Hill, Quest International University, and QNET’s product exhibition, where they saw firsthand how technology and wellness intersect in the company’s portfolio.

Addressing Industry Misconceptions

During the Q&A session, a participant asked how QNET addresses public scepticism about direct selling. Responding, Solesi explained that the company continues to engage with institutions like the EFCC and the Nigerian Police Force to fight fraud and misinformation.

“We’re not into recruitment; we sell real products that people benefit from,” he said, reaffirming QNET’s stand against Ponzi schemes.

He added that QNET’s growing partnerships with regulators and the media are part of its mission to promote ethical entrepreneurship and restore public trust in the direct selling industry.

In her closing statements, Thelma commended QNET and Newmark for sustaining open dialogue with the Nigerian media. “This webinar reinforces what we already know, transparency and storytelling go hand in hand,” she said. “It’s not just about selling; it’s about empowering.”

“It gets better each time. We should do a revisit; I think we all deserve another round of VCON,” Sulaiman Aledeh stated.

Since beginning operations in Nigeria in 2022, QNET has continued to drive empowerment through initiatives such as FinGreen, which promotes financial literacy, and partnerships with orphanages including Little Saints Orphanage and Babe Salaam.

Participants agreed that engagements like the Beyond VCON webinar are essential for strengthening transparency, building public trust, and promoting responsible entrepreneurship across Africa’s growing direct selling ecosystem.

Held under the theme, “Think before you follow, wise money tomorrow,” this year’s engagement focused on helping young people develop discernment and critical thinking in making financial decisions, particularly in an era shaped by social media influence and digital distractions.

Unity Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, supported the initiative as the Bank held an impactful session at Boys Model Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State.

Represented by the Bank’s Zonal Head, South South/South East, Mr. William Odigie, Mr. Kolawole shared practical lessons on financial responsibility, guiding students on how to cultivate savings culture, investment and financial management; advising against any impulsive financial behaviours, more especially those involving online.

Speaking through the Zonal Head during the Training session, Mr. Kolawole emphasised the importance of being exposed early to financial management:

“The habits you form now around saving, spending, and investing will shape your financial future. It’s not about how much you have, but how wisely you manage it.”

In each of the 13 schools visited nationwide, Unity Bank’s facilitators engaged students in interactive discussions, practical money management exercises, and quizzes. Participating students who displayed exceptional skills at various sessions got recognition and were presented with branded gift items to strongly reinforce the financial literacy training.

Recall that recently, Unity Bank launched GenFi digital banking app, a youth-focused solution designed to empower children and teens with smart money habits through gamified learning, goal-setting, and parental guidance.

The participation of the Bank in the financial literacy training marks this year’s Global Money Week is to further Youth engagement.

Global Money Week is a worldwide initiative coordinated in Nigeria by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee and Junior Achievement Nigeria.

The engagement aims to instil sound financial knowledge and habits in young people from an early age, being a strategy to promote financial inclusion.

Unity Bank has continued to invest in youth-focused financial education as a clear demonstration of its unwavering commitment to empowering Nigeria’s next generation for financial independence and self-reliance.

The rising cost of living has left even the most astute budgeters scratching their heads or dipping into emergency funds. People feel powerless to control their money because everything is just so expensive.

It’s literally a case of money in, money out. What is worrying is that most people don’t think they earn enough to put something aside for an emergency fund or retirement.

South Africans are also not great savers, as a recent Business-Tech poll reveals.

The poll of 2 702 readers, conducted in mid-January, shows that the majority of respondents (61%) are allocating 10% or less of their salary towards retirement savings.

This equates to more than a third (35%) of middle-class South Africans. By comparison, 23% of readers surveyed are putting away more than 20% of their salary every month towards retirement.

It’s evident that the majority of people are only channelling their income into ongoing expenses, but not into savings, debts and an emergency fund or retirement.

When you’re financially literate, you will understand how to allocate your income toward various goals simultaneously, and prioritise saving.

Building your future and becoming smarter about money is not as difficult as one might think.

The web is full of information and resources that will be available you to empower you to understand money better and become more financially literate.

But what exactly is financial literacy?

It starts by building basic knowledge of money matters. Gradually, you gain a confident understanding of financial concepts like savings, investing and debt.

The goal of financial literacy is to give you more control of your finances. It helps you to use your money as a tool to realise your future plans, not simply to cover expenses.

Examples of financial literacy in action are:

• Putting extra money into your retirement savings when you get a salary increase.

• Paying off your smallest debt first and then using that money to make larger repayments on the next smallest debt.

• Maintaining the equivalent of six months’ salary as an emergency fund in a high-interest bearing savings account – and, replenishing it after you’ve withdrawn money from the account.

• Checking your credit report regularly. A good credit score is important for future access to loans and credit.

Even if you don’t have a lot of disposable income, improving your financial literacy will help you to make the most of what you have.

This is the beauty of initiatives like Money Smart Week. It’s an opportunity to learn how to take back control of your finances and achieve your financial goals.

It will help you to make informed decisions that will keep you out of debt and away from risky investments. From there, you can create and pursue financial goals that fully support your vision for a fulfilled life.