Lagos, Nigeria – March 4, 2025 – The Women Movers Summit 2025 (WMS2025), a landmark event preceding the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), scheduled for March 10–21, 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York, successfully convened young changemakers, industry leaders, and innovators at the renowned Nike Art Gallery on Tuesday, March 4 2025 in Lagos.
Organised by the Creative Youth Community Development Initiative (CYCDI) in partnership with Duduplugs USA, the summit ignited transformative discussions on accelerating gender equality, fostering the creative economy, and empowering young talent for a sustainable future.
Themed "Young Changemakers: Accelerating Gender Equality, Creative Economy, and Talent for Sustainable Futures," WMS2025 provided a dynamic platform to amplify the voices of youth and women in leadership, art, technology, agriculture, finance, and humanitarian work. The event showcased the powerful intersection of creativity, innovation, and economic growth in advancing sustainable development towards the desired future.
The summit featured TED-style lightning talks, industry fireside discussions, and project showcases. A key highlight was the introduction of Duduplugs, a revolutionary digital platform headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA. Designed to preserve and promote African cultural heritage, Duduplugs connects young creatives in Africa and the Diaspora, enabling them to trade, collaborate, and drive economic growth. The platform will host a pre-launch event in the U.S. in March 2025, leading to its official unveiling at the Africa-Pennsylvania Festival in September 2025.
WMS2025 spotlighted influential voices from finance, technology, agriculture, media, film, and engineering, exploring how digital innovation, storytelling, and cross-sector collaborations can accelerate impact. The summit fostered thought-provoking discussions, leadership storytelling sessions, and networking opportunities, culminating in an exclusive preview of Duduplugs' upcoming U.S. launch.
Foluke Michael, CEO and Project Director of CYCDI emphasised the summit's transformative power: "The Women Movers Summit 2025 is more than a gathering—it's a catalyst for change. Today, we stand at the intersection of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity, ready to unlock new possibilities for women and youth across industries. Through platforms like Duduplugs, we are not just fostering economic growth—we are creating a global ecosystem where African creativity and entrepreneurship thrive on an unprecedented scale."
"Duduplugs is redefining how Africa engages in global trade, technology, and the creative economy. As we prepare for major unveilings in New York, Harrisburg, and Pennsylvania, we are paving the way for groundbreaking opportunities that will shape the future. This is our moment to step forward, take action, and build lasting impact together." Foluke Added.
Speaking at the event, Wole Adeniyi, CEO of ACI234 Entertainment LLC and Duduplugs, emphasised the vital role of Women Movers Global in empowering youth and women across key sectors, including technology, the creative economy, agriculture, and energy. He highlighted that beginning in September 2025, these industries will become integral to the Duduplugs ecosystem, driving innovation and economic opportunities.
Duduplugs seamlessly combines social connectivity with cultural preservation. It engages a global audience through interactive experiences, influencer marketing, and social commerce. The platform aims to reach 100 million users by 2030, redefining how African heritage and creativity shape the digital economy.
As a post-CSW69 commitment, CYCDI will continue to support youth and women-led initiatives, fostering equality and sustainable development through innovation and collaboration.
About CYCDI
The Creative Youth Community Development Initiative (CYCDI) holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Known for its transformative programs in entrepreneurship, social development, and the creative economy, CYCDI leads initiatives such as Solution17 for SDGs, Art for Climate Change, Solution17 for Climate Action, and Vision of the Child—NextGen Solutions. The organisation remains dedicated to championing gender equality and sustainable progress.
About Duduplugs
Duduplugs USA is a groundbreaking digital platform celebrating African creativity, culture, and innovation. It is a global hub for cultural preservation, social connectivity, and economic empowerment, enabling creatives and entrepreneurs to collaborate, trade, and scale their impact. Through its nine interconnected plugs—Music, Fashion, Art, Film, Food, Dance, Green/Artistic Building, Technology, Language, and Literature—Duduplugs fosters cross-continental collaboration and engagement with the African Diaspora. The platform envisions attracting over 100 million users by 2030, redefining Africa's role in the global digital economy.