The idea of Akwa Ibom Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (AYES) came up in year 2022 by the then President of Uyo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UYOCCIMA), Mrs Affi Israel Ibanga, as initiative that will provide opportunity for youth entrepreneurs to be inspired, synergized and empowered by industry leaders from different walk of life. As the then president of UYOCCIMA, she was concerned on how youths could benefit from the various programs and opportunities available in the city chambers and leverage on them.
In commomeration of the 2023 World Youth Skill DAY, it became neccessary for the maiden summit to hold. And this year 2025, we are holding it's third edition on the 15th July 2025.
AYES now AYWES (Akwa Ibom Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Summit) is building a platform and network for women and young professionals, entrepreneurs, students and educators to advance their skills, advocacy and business readiness of a new generation of Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs.
AYWES has the enormous goal of facilitating access to young uprising entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom, but we cannot do it alone. We work with individual volunteers, organization, foundations, institutions to make the project a reality.