More than 140 women entrepreneurs graduated from three business development programmes on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen women-led enterprises and expand access to leadership training and financial literacy in Guyana.
The graduation ceremony took place during the HerVenture Summit and Expo 2026 at the National Cultural Centre, held in observance of International Women’s Day, March 8, The event brought together entrepreneurs – including over 40 exhibitors, development partners, financial institutions and business leaders to celebrate the achievements of women in business.
The ceremony recognised graduates from the Bankability Fund for Women Mentorship Programme, the Road to Leadership (R2L) course and the Road to Finance (R2F) programme; initiatives designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, confidence and networks needed to build stronger and more sustainable businesses.
In total, 33 women graduated from the Bankability Fund for Women Mentorship Programme, 58 from the Road to Leadership course and 50 from the Road to Finance programme, each representing an entrepreneur who invested in strengthening her business and expanding opportunities for growth.
Trainer and business coach at ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., Upasna Mudlier, who addressed the graduates during the ceremony, said the programmes were designed to help women entrepreneurs strengthen both their leadership capabilities and their financial understanding.
She noted that the programmes were created to equip women entrepreneurs with the tools needed to grow their businesses sustainably while building the confidence required to pursue financing and new opportunities.
“For many entrepreneurs, finance can feel intimidating,” she told the graduates, “but today you leave this programme not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to understand your numbers, manage your resources effectively and position your businesses for investment and expansion.”
The Bankability Fund for Women Mentorship Programme, implemented by ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. with support from the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and funded by IDB Lab, pairs entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who guide them in financial management, business strategy and growth planning. In addition to Mudlier, Keon Smith, Training Director also coached the graduates.
Meanwhile, the Road to Leadership and Road to Finance programmes, delivered through the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation, provide entrepreneurs with training in leadership development and financial management.
Chairman of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., Dr. Vishnu Doerga, said the summit reflects a broader movement to empower women entrepreneurs to play a greater role in shaping Guyana’s economic future.
“March 8 is more than a date on a calendar. It is a global reminder that when women move, economies move, and when women lead, communities rise,” Doerga said.
He added that initiatives such as HerVenture demonstrate how investing in women’s entrepreneurship can expand opportunities not only for individuals but for entire communities.
Also speaking at the Summit, Chief of Operations at IDB Lab, Iván-Alonzo Gaviria, highlighted the importance of programmes such as Road to Finance in addressing one of the most persistent barriers faced by women entrepreneurs: access to capital.
Gaviria said discussions with entrepreneurs revealed that securing financing remains a major challenge for many businesses seeking to expand.
However, he stressed that women entrepreneurs are already playing an important role in Guyana’s rapidly evolving economy.
“Women in Guyana are not standing on the sidelines of this transformation, you are helping to shape it,” he said.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to strengthen their ability to clearly present their business strategies and market opportunities when seeking financing, noting that strong storytelling and financial planning are key factors in securing investment.
During her feature address, ExxonMobil Guyana, Attorney-at-Law Oneka Archer-Caulder said empowering women entrepreneurs is essential for inclusive economic growth.
“Guyana is experiencing historic economic transformation, but growth is only meaningful when it is inclusive; when women who drive households, communities and entire sectors have equal opportunity not only to participate, but to lead and to scale,” Archer-Caulder said.
She noted that the ExxonMobil Foundation’s partnership with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women supports initiatives that expand access to training and mentorship for women entrepreneurs.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said initiatives such as HerVenture are helping women transform their circumstances by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to grow their businesses.
She noted that digital learning tools and entrepreneurship training programmes are enabling women to develop new capabilities and apply those skills to strengthen their enterprises.
According to the Minister, women who participate in these programmes are increasingly able to transition from micro and small businesses to medium-sized enterprises, strengthening their economic independence and contributing to national development.
Dr. Persaud also reflected on the broader significance of International Women’s Day, noting that women are increasingly entering new sectors and redefining the roles they play within the economy.
Organisers said the graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter for the entrepreneurs who participated. Mudlier encouraged graduates to apply the knowledge and connections gained through the programmes as they continue building their businesses and supporting other women along the same path.
“Your success will ripple far beyond your own businesses,” she said. “It will impact families, communities and the wider economy.”
She closed by saying that as Guyana’s economy continues to expand, initiatives such as the HerVenture Summit and Expo and its associated training programmes will play an important role in ensuring that women entrepreneurs have the tools, confidence and networks needed to participate fully in that growth.
