For many people, earning more money is the goal.
But what happens after the paycheck lands?
How do you turn income into investments? Build financial security that lasts? Create wealth that outlives your career and opens opportunities for future generations?
These were the questions that brought hundreds of women, founders, professionals, business leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs together at ValueUp by HerVest 2026 on 11 July at the Shell Zenith Bank Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos.
Now in its fourth edition, ValueUp has become more than an annual conference. It is a platform where ambitious women come together to rethink wealth, challenge conventional ideas about money, and gain practical strategies for building financial independence.
This year’s theme, “Wealth Building Beyond Earnings,” reflected an important truth:
Income alone does not create wealth. Intentional financial decisions do.
Redefining what wealth really means
Throughout the day, speakers challenged attendees to move beyond the idea that earning more automatically leads to financial freedom.
The conversations explored what it takes to build lasting wealth—from investing consistently and growing businesses to making strategic career decisions, building influence, protecting income, and planning for the future.
Industry leaders including Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, Adewale Arikawe, Ego Obiegbunam, Tope Oludimu, Victor Olojo, Margaret Agbonlahor, Ezinne Nwafor, Hon. Abisola Olusanya, Sola Adesakin, and Peju Faloye shared practical lessons from years of leadership across finance, business, policy, and entrepreneurship.
Every session was designed to move beyond inspiration and provide actionable insights attendees could apply immediately.
Two launches shaping the future of women’s finance
ValueUp 2026 was also the stage for two major milestones in HerVest’s journey to expand women’s financial inclusion.
The first was the launch of the HerVest Financial Inclusion Report 2026, a landmark study developed over six months to better understand the financial realities, aspirations, and behaviours of Nigerian women.
Presented by Professor Olayinka David-West, the HerVest Financial Inclusion Report 2026 offers fresh insights into the financial behaviours, aspirations, barriers, and lived experiences of Nigerian women. Drawing from research conducted across the country, the report moves beyond traditional measures of financial inclusion to examine how women engage with financial services and what is required to drive meaningful financial resilience and long-term wealth creation. Read Report.
The second milestone was the introduction of Dara AI, HerVest’s AI-powered financial assistant built on WhatsApp.
Dara AI makes personalised financial guidance more accessible by helping women navigate access to credit and financial planning through a platform they already use every day.
Together, these launches reinforce HerVest’s belief that improving financial inclusion requires more than access to financial products. It requires research, technology, and practical tools that help women make better financial decisions. Interact with Dara AI
Investing in women who are building the future
One of the most anticipated moments of the day was the HerVest Adrenaline Pitch Competition, where female founders pitched innovative businesses before a panel of judges.
After a highly competitive session:
- Ali-Balogun Oluwafisayomi, Founder of FIFI Creamy Creation, emerged as the overall winner, receiving ₦500,000.
- Kachi Maduagwu, Founder of Preson, received ₦300,000 as first runner-up.
- Karim Oluwatoyin, Founder of Meals by TK, received ₦200,000 as second runner-up.
The competition reflected HerVest’s commitment to creating opportunities that extend beyond conversations by providing women entrepreneurs with funding, visibility, and access.
More than a conference
What makes ValueUp different isn’t just the calibre of speakers or the conversations on stage.
It’s the community it brings together.
Professionals connected with mentors. Entrepreneurs found new opportunities. Women exchanged ideas, built relationships, and left with practical strategies they could begin implementing immediately.
Every conversation reinforced a simple but powerful idea:
Building wealth is intentional.
It requires knowledge. Discipline. The right financial tools. Strategic relationships. And a community that believes your financial future can be bigger than your present.
As the conversations from ValueUp 2026 continue beyond the event, HerVest remains committed to helping women build wealth through research, technology, innovative financial products, and a supportive ecosystem designed around their ambitions.
To every speaker, partner, sponsor, volunteer, and attendee who made ValueUp by HerVest 2026 possible—thank you.
The conversations may have ended, but the work of building wealth beyond earnings has only just begun.