Supporting Women in Business through the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs

During the launch of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) on October 12, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Ken Toko welcomed over 50 women, who applied for the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 AWE program. Once again, in 2023 the U.S. Embassy partnered with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry to implement the third iteration in Malta of this global entrepreneurship program.

The AWE program provides women entrepreneurs around the world with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to start and scale successful businesses. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a competition, pitching business plans they develop through the AWE program for seed funding to invest in their businesses.

In brief comments, Mr. Toko said, “I am honored to join you all today to kick-off our third iteration of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Malta. In Malta, we now have approximately 65 alumnae, who have successfully graduated from the AWE program over these past two years, and we wish this year’s cohort the same success.”

Addressing the newest cohort of aspiring women entrepreneurs, Chris Vassallo Cesareo, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, said, “You are here because you are ambitious, determined and want to continue climbing the career ladder. You represent the future of entrepreneurship in Malta, and we believe in your ability to make a meaningful impact on our business landscape.”

AWE supports the U.S. government’s National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment globally. Implemented in nearly 100 countries, AWE has supported more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs around the world to develop their entrepreneurial ideas and grow their businesses.