Women make up 58% of Africa’s self-employed population and contribute around 13% of the continent’s GDP. Until gender parity is improved throughout the African continent, female entrepreneurs will remain under-earning compared with their male counterparts. Governments and policymakers can support women entrepreneurs and female led startups in Africa through targeted policies including gender-responsive budgeting and utilizing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

An African drive for gender equality and women’s empowerment has consequently given rise to women entrepreneurs and female led startups on the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, has the world’s highest rate of women involved in entrepreneurial activity at 26%. According to the MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) 2021, Botswana, South Africa and Ghana are among the countries with the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs globally. Click here to read full article