Where African women reclaim the power of motherhood and money.
The Mum Fund wasn’t just an event; it was a cultural shift. Organised by Swaddle and Moneystart, with powerhouse founders Feyi Bello and Ibi Ibru at the helm, mothers and women gathered for an honest, healing, and financially-focused morning.
The room welcomed an inspiring mix of women shaping legacy in business, leadership, and culture — including Dr. Omobola Johnson, Mrs. Yewande Zaccheaus, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika — alongside speakers Mrs. Ore Lawani, Grace Ladoja, Mrs. Nela Duke-Ekpenyong, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, and Mrs. Toyin Adesanya, all of whom brought layered insight and presence that made the gathering even more impactful.
Marie Claire Nigeria organised an intimate Q&A session with the hosts and speakers, which included reflections from the audience.
Why did you create The Mum Fund?
Feyi:
We wanted to build something we needed ourselves, something soft yet strong. A space where motherhood isn’t treated like a side story, but as a main chapter in a woman’s financial life. African mothers carry so much, often silently. It was time we said, “You deserve support, tools, and wealth.”
Ibi:
As a financial planner, I found that of our female clients, mothers are the most likely to act on financial information — driven by the profound responsibility of having an entire human being depend on them. But oftentimes we misdirect that action. And that leads to a lot of fear, avoidance & overwhelm rather than progress. The lack of community and accessible knowledge around money and wealth-building often leaves people unsure of where to start — and feeling intimidated. And we wanted to help change that.
The energy in the room was electric. What were some standout moments for you?
Feyi:
My mum, Mrs Toyin Adesanya, and Mrs Adenike Ogunlesi gave us so much wisdom. I loved the vulnerability of Grace Ore & Nela on the first panel. They truly made me feel like anything was possible if I worked hard and had God at the centre.
Ibi:
The amazing story Mrs Adesanya told about her worst investing mistake, passing up an opportunity to invest in Paystack in early 2019 to buy a new car. The audible gasp of shared pain from the audience was equal parts hilarious and added to the camaraderie and community in the room. It really opened up the door for people to feel safe in not having everything figured out.
What conversations did The Mum Fund open up?
Feyi:
That mum guilt isn’t something I need to be concerned about; if you are in alignment with your purpose & making money towards their future, you have nothing to feel guilty about.
Ibi:
Investing in income-generating assets is what separates being financially comfortable now and staying that way for the rest of your life.
What role did your sponsors play in making this possible?
We are immensely grateful to the visionary partners who believed in this mission:
Bamboo, our amazing headline sponsor, provided a great practical step to building wealth through US stocks through their Managed Portfolios, which are perfect for the long-term growth, dollar-based investments, and hands-on investments that mums are looking for.
AXA Mansard helped kickstart the journey with their Money Market Fund, ideal for emergency savings, low-risk savers, and short-term goals. For women looking to grow wealth in dollars, their Dollar Bond Fund is an excellent option for FX investors and income-focused savers.
Sankore Investments, our long-time sponsor and partner, supports HNI and Ultra-HNI clients with bespoke wealth management solutions.
Hatu Properties is for the ladies ready to step into real estate investing, both locally and internationally — your go-to partners.
Blush & Slate brought our brand story to life with stunning visuals. Dreamland Events created a seamless, warm, and memorable experience for everyone. Each of these sponsors did more than write a cheque, they partnered meaningfully.
What impact did you feel in the room?
Feyi:
The tears. The hugs. The “me too” moments. But also, the notebooks are filling up with action plans. The women felt inspired and activated..
Ibi:
The impact of this will go far beyond the event itself. When a woman gets her finances in order, she transforms the future—not just for herself, but for her family, her community, her industry, and ultimately, the nation.
And that, as a woman and mother, you’re not limited —you hold a unique advantage in how you approach building wealth, because you naturally build impact alongside it.
That’s the goal: not just talk, but transformation.
What’s next for The Mum Fund?
We’re only just beginning. This is a movement. We plan to expand The Mum Fund into intimate learning circles, investment clubs for mothers, digital content, webinars and regional events across Africa.
We’re building a home for women who mother and multiply, those who want support, not shame, and strategy, not survival.
Final words to the African woman
To every woman who juggles school runs and silent dreams,
To every mother who paused her career, only to wonder “What if?”
To every woman redefining what wealth looks like in her household.
We see you. We honour you. We are you. The Mum Fund is for you.
To contact Ibi & Feyi:
Moneystart
Website: www.moneystart.site Instagram: @Moneystart_co Instagram: @ibi_moneystart
Swaddle
Website: swaddleapp.co Instagram: @swaddleapp Instagram : @feyibello1
