Trading internationally is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially for women entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Yet, many women miss out on the opportunities beyond their borders simply because they lack the knowledge and resources to engage in international trade. While their male counterparts may find more established business paths, women entrepreneurs- already underrepresented in global markets- face additional challenges in breaking into international trade.
Many women miss out on potential markets because they lack the skills and strategies to surpass their local economies. Thus, women who fail to engage in cross-border trade risk being left behind, while those who embrace it can enjoy distinct business growth. To bolster women’s economic contributions to the African market, there is a need to create an equitable business environment for them and equip them with the skills needed to scale operations and productivity beyond the continent’s shores. This is one of the solutions Olori Boye Ajayi provides for women on the continent.
Olori Boye Ajayi is a Nigerian entrepreneur, social activist, and advocate for women’s empowerment, especially in the context of international trade and economic development in Africa. She is the founder and CEO of the Borderless Trade Network (BTN), an initiative aimed at helping African women participate and succeed in international trade by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and mentorship.
Ajayi’s drive to promote the vision of borderless trade for women began when she saw how African women faced challenges in expanding their businesses. She noticed how they lacked adequate resources and how specific barriers prevented them from trading across borders—despite her belief that they could drive economic growth within their countries, across the continent, and beyond. As such, she decided to build a system to help women entrepreneurs thrive in the global marketplace.
Founded in February 2021, the Borderless Trade Network (BTN) provides women with the tools, training, and access they need to scale their businesses beyond local borders so they can tap into international markets. Since its inception in 2021, BTN has trained women in digital trade skills like trade policies, market trends, global logistics, and business development to enable them to scale their businesses internationally. The network also focuses on removing trade barriers between African countries by promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ensuring that women-led companies are positioned to benefit from it.
One of the founders’ dreams is to see a world where borders no longer restrict women and where their products, ideas, and innovations can move freely and compete globally. She is deeply committed to building a legacy of female entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, ensuring African women participate in and lead global trade.
As a global trade expert, Olori Boye Ajayi has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers that prevent women from accessing international markets and participating in economic growth. She also launched the Borderless Trade Women in Business program, which empowers women entrepreneurs by providing training and mentorship. Her work demonstrates that economic borders should never limit anyone’s ambition or potential.
Ajayi has gained recognition for her advocacy and has spoken on various global platforms, including the United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO), where she continues to highlight the importance of women’s inclusion in the economic landscape, particularly in trade. She is a receipt of numerous awards, including:
- Honoree, excellence in trade and investment category | African Achievers Award | 2023
- Finally, 30 leading women in the African supply chain industry | 2023
- International woman of the year woman for Africa UK | 2022
- First female ambassador Afreximbank MANSA ambassador in Nigeria | 2021
