In sub-Saharan Africa, women face unique economic empowerment challenges, especially in sectors like farming. Despite the region boasting the world’s highest rate of women entrepreneurs who could positively impact Africa, many female-led enterprises remain small-scale with limited growth opportunities. However, a new wave of startups and initiatives is aiming to change this narrative, empowering African women in marginalized communities to thrive.
Women empowerment is a vital component of development, equity, and prosperity in today’s world. Removing obstacles that have long prevented women from advancing economically and socially will require unique solutions. The need to empower women is not just morally right, research has shown that diverse teams, including those empowered with gender equity, consistently outperform less diverse teams. Today’s problems require imaginative solutions from all and women’s empowerment holds the key to creativity, adaptability, and a future where everyone may live in equity and inclusion.
3 Key Things To Remember
Women are the HEART of society, the ENTREPRENEURS of tomorrow, and are very RESILIENT regardless of challenging circumstances.
Women are the entrepreneurs of Africa!
Women are the entrepreneurs of Africa! However, women in marginalized communities face challenges such as digital exclusion, gender inequality, and poverty. Women entrepreneurs confront numerous obstacles that hinder their business growth and success. A key challenge is the lack of access to finance, with traditional lending institutions often requiring collateral and formal documentation that many women lack. Market access and distribution channels are also limited, preventing these entrepreneurs from expanding their businesses. Additionally, cultural biases and societal expectations create barriers, leading to discrimination and reduced opportunities for growth. Lack of access is a big issue!
Women are The Heart of Africa!
Women are the Heart of Africa! Women produce up to 70% of food in African countries, making them the backbone of agricultural systems across the continent. Women are often the primary caretakers of households and natural resources. In agriculture, empowering women means investing in sustainable farming practices, resilience to climate shocks, and food security for communities. However, poverty disproportionately affects women in Africa, particularly those living in rural areas and marginalized communities. The lack of access to resources, land ownership, and credit constraints their ability to generate income and improve their livelihoods.
Women are very Resilient!
Women are indeed very resilient, often overcoming numerous challenges with remarkable strength. However, resilience can only go so far without the necessary tools and resources to assist in the journey. In Africa, many women face the daunting reality of being on the wrong side of the digital divide. Limited access to technology and online resources creates significant hurdles, especially in rural and marginalized communities where reliable internet services and digital infrastructure are lacking. How do we then help these resilient women break down these barriers to digital inclusion?
A Woman to Remember
Driving Inclusion and Empowerment- Naledi Magowe – Brastornes Woman in Tech Driving Inclusion for female Farmers
Women in Africa are leading the world into a state of reduced inequalities! Imagine a world like that where every woman’s ideas, solutions, and dreams are given an opportunity to grow and become a reality. Naledi Magowe, Co-founder of Brastorne, an innovative tech company connecting rural, previously unconnected feature phone users to the power of the internet without the need for data or WiFi by leveraging simple, low-tech mobile solutions like SMS, USSD, and VOICE gives many women across Africa the opportunity to improve their quality of life and contribute to economic development.
From championing digital inclusion to empowering female farmers, her initiatives, which are recognized by esteemed organizations such as Heifer International & MIT Solve, Google, and aYute Africa, have touched countless lives, currently impacting over 4 million people’s lives, with over 60% of these being women.
We celebrate H.E.R for driving digital inclusion for female farmers. How do you inspire inclusion?
Learn more about impact and how you can help Naledi make a greater difference.
