Female Immigrant Entrepreneurship Enhancing Entrepreneurial Capabilities Through Education and Training

This groundbreaking monograph explores the urgent need for tailored support systems that empower female immigrant entrepreneurs to navigate the complex challenges and unlock the opportunities they encounter in their host countries.  Anchored in the Andragogy-in-Practice framework, the book critically examines the alignment between existing Entrepreneurship Education and Training provision and the entrepreneurial needs of female immigrants, drawing on qualitative research conducted in the Irish context. It highlights the systemic gaps in current training offerings while showcasing the potential of adult learning principles to foster inclusive, culturally responsive education. Offering both academic insight and practical guidance, this volume serves as a valuable resource for educators, trainers, policymakers, and support organisations. It provides a clear, evidence-based roadmap for designing and delivering impactful programmes that recognise and build upon the unique strengths, aspirations, and lived experiences of this often underrepresented yet economically vital group.

1. Introduction.- 2. Female Immigrant Entrepreneurship.- 3. Enhancing Entrepreneurial Capabilities.- 4. Entrepreneurship Education and Training .- 5. Andragogy in Practice.- 6. Alignment between EET Programmes and Female Immigrants’ Entrepreneurial.- 7. Practical Interventions.- 8. Policy Interventions to Support Female Immigrant Entrepreneurs.- 9. Conclusion.

Toluwani Akaehomen is the Founder, Director, and Lead Consultant at Vantage Dymensions, as well as the Chairperson of Proudly Made in Africa (Ireland). Since 2014, she has worked with teams and individuals across various levels and sectors to support their ongoing growth and leadership development. She is also a qualified coach, specializing in leadership and professional development, as well as career redirection. Since 2020, she has supported the career redirection and professional development of hundreds of women from migrant backgrounds in Ireland. Toluwani is an advocate for ethnic and gender inclusion, a big-picture and agile thinker, an inclusive and empathy-driven leader, and a lifelong learner.

Toluwani Akaehomen is Lead Leadership, Learning and People Development Consultant at Vantage Dymensions Consulting. A keynote speaker, certified life purpose & leadership coach, master trainer and facilitator, she helps individuals, teams and organisations focus on personal growth, professional and leadership development, and enhancing performance. She is also Director of Programmes at HergenuityAfrika (HGA), a not-for-profit with the mission to promote and support entrepreneurship and enterprise development among females of African heritage and Ireland’s female immigrant communities. Dr. Akaehomen has research interests in transformational entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship education and training and has contributed to publications and to advancing knowledge in these fields. She is a doctoral alumna of Coventry University, UK.

Andreas Walmsley is an Associate Professor of Business with a focus on Entrepreneurship at Plymouth Marjon University (United Kingdom), which he joined in August 2021. Prior to this, he worked at the International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship (ICTE) at Coventry University (United Kingdom), where he also served as the Director of Postgraduate Researchers. In January 2021, Andreas took on the role of Editor (Research) for the journal Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy (affiliated with USASBE). Before joining Coventry University, he worked at the Futures Entrepreneurship Centre at Plymouth University (United Kingdom), where he was the Discipline Group Lead for Entrepreneurship and the research lead for the RESI (Responsible Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation) research group.