November 19, 2021, 15:00-16:30 Via Zoom (Register Here)

Context

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), women represent 50.09% of the total population (World Bank, 2020) and hold immense potential for technological development and innovation. Of the working women, about 27% are entrepreneurs and produce more than 65% of goods and services (Women in Africa, 2019). While it is true that SSA has more female entrepreneurs than male entrepreneurs, it should be remembered that many of the businesses started and run by these women are small companies with little opportunity for growth. According to a 2018 study by Rolland Berger, nearly 24% of African women of working age are involved in business creation. However, 80% of women’s employment remains vulnerable (World Bank, 2019). Women’s entrepreneurship in Africa continues to face real challenges, particularly in the digital field where they remain under-represented. In the technology industry in particular, a 2016 study by Venture Capital for Africa found that only 9% of start-ups (innovative companies with high growth potential and speculative future value) in Africa are led by women in a market of over 700 million internet and mobile users. Genuine engagement of women in this industry would effectively contribute to overcoming a number of socio-economic challenges in this region (GEM Women’s Entrepreneurship, report 2017).

Objectives

This webinar aims to address the challenges faced by women in developing a start-up in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, it will focus on:

• Understand the entrepreneurial process among women in SSA countries;
• Identify the main barriers and obstacles to the development of start-ups, particularly those run by women;
• Elucidate the roles of other stakeholders in the development of women-led start-ups;
• To present the challenges of the growth of women-led start-ups for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Target audience

This event is open and free to all. It specifically concerns: entrepreneurs, leaders of business support structures in SSA, officials in charge of promoting entrepreneurship in SSA countries; civil society, leaders of women’s associations, academics and students.

Contact

Email : [email protected] / Tél : (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54