Aware Migrants

Credits: Africanews

On the occasion of the First Regional Summit of the Women Entrepreneurs Financing Initiative (We-Fi), heads of state, ministers, multilateral development bank leaders, private sector executives, women entrepreneurs and country representatives contributors to the Initiative met today to consider practical measures to support small and medium-sized women-led businesses in West Africa.

The Summit, which brought together more than 400 public and private leaders from West Africa and other regions, was organized by the We-Fi Initiative in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the World Bank Group, and under the patronage of the Government of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

Women have a relevant economic place, especially with independent activities in Africa, and they bring benefits to their families, their communities and their countries

The meeting ended with a joint call for action to urge public authorities and private actors to quickly undertake major reforms and measures to help women entrepreneurs dismantle persistent financial and other obstacles to their activity. 

Women have "a relevant economic place, especially with independent activities in Africa, and they bring benefits to their families, their communities and their countries", underline the leaders present at the Summit in their joint declaration. Aware of the difficulties preventing the full participation of women to the economy, participants stress the obstacles women face in accessing "financing, markets, technology, or support and capacity-building programs." By prohibiting these entrepreneurs from realizing their full potential, these barriers are penalizing economic growth and poverty eradication in Africa. "

Read more: Africanews