The U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea held a graduation ceremony for the first group of participants in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Hiri-Koiari District on December 4, 2025. The event also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand the initiative.
U.S. Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock and Hiri-Koiari Member of Parliament Keith Iduhu attended the ceremony at the American Corner, National Library and Archives. The new MOU establishes a public-private partnership between the U.S. Embassy, MP Iduhu, and Didi Consultant, which implements AWE programming locally. This partnership is designed to support women’s economic empowerment in Papua New Guinea and serves as a model for expanding AWE programs to other provinces without direct financial support from the U.S. government.
Twenty-eight women entrepreneurs participated in this first cohort, completing six weeks of training based on DreamBuilder curriculum developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. The training covered topics such as financial literacy, compliance, taxation, entrepreneurial mindset, and professional networking. Participants joined a network that connects over 300 women entrepreneurs in Papua New Guinea and more than 15,000 AWE alumnae globally.
“This program was a testament to the power of partnership,” said Ambassador Yastishock. “Through the vision and support of MP Iduhu, the expertise of Didi Consultant, and the dedication of the U.S. Embassy, we have empowered women to become agents of economic growth and positive change in their communities.”
Graduates will have an opportunity to showcase their businesses at an upcoming AWE Fair scheduled for March 2025.
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs was launched by the U.S. Department of State in 2019 with the goal of equipping women worldwide with tools and networks needed to start or grow businesses.