African Women Get Path to Business Through Yale Workshop

At Yale's Africa Innovation Symposium, Evelyn Van Der Puije shared something most development programs miss: African women don't need to become entrepreneurs because they already are. They need systems that let them grow.

Van Der Puije, president of The Countess Foundation, led an interactive workshop that flipped traditional charity thinking on its head. Across Africa, millions of women already run informal businesses in agriculture, trade, and small enterprise. The real challenge is helping them formalize, scale, and sustain what they've built.

Her foundation's "1 Million Women, 1 Million Futures" program works through four clear stages. Women receive vocational and business training, earn certifications through institutional partners, get support launching formal businesses, and access long-term income sustainability systems. Each step builds on the last, creating a pathway that doesn't end after a workshop or grant runs out.

The session went beyond individual businesses to explore community-wide infrastructure. Van Der Puije introduced Havilah Cities, a vision for integrated communities combining education, business, housing, and support systems in one place. These aren't temporary projects but permanent structures designed to operate independently and create generational stability.

Students and young professionals at the symposium worked through real challenges in small groups. They tackled questions about scaling empowerment models, reaching underserved areas, expanding market access, and ensuring businesses survive long-term. The format turned abstract ideas into actionable plans.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Brian Asamoah II joined the discussion, bringing perspective on using global platforms to drive local impact. His presence highlighted how solutions need collaboration across different sectors and spheres of influence.

The Ripple Effect

The workshop's impact extends far beyond the room at Yale. When women move from informal to formal business ownership, entire families gain stability. Children stay in school longer. Communities see increased investment. Local economies strengthen as more people participate in formal markets.

Van Der Puije's youth development emphasis recognizes that Africa's young population represents either its greatest challenge or greatest opportunity. With structured mentorship, creative pathways, and real access to resources, this generation can build the systems that sustain growth for decades.

The session stood out at the symposium for delivering practical frameworks instead of theoretical discussions. Participants left with specific models they could adapt and implement in their own communities.

Africa's development path won't come from isolated charity projects but from structured systems that formalize existing talent and sustain growth over time. This workshop showed exactly what that looks like in practice.