Ife Ogunfuwa
Women are achieving gender parity in terms of entrepreneurial activity in many African markets including Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda.
Gender disparity had also narrowed in Angola and Malawi, the third edition of the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs stated.
The report said Nigeria had the second highest proportion of women in professional/technician roles among the 58 markets surveyed, and an exceptionally high percentage of females as entrepreneurs.
Specifically, it said nearly four out of every 10 working-age women were engaged in an early-stage entrepreneurial activity (40.7 per cent compared to 39 per cent for men).
The Mastercard Index listed three African countries as global leaders in terms of women-owned businesses.
It said Uganda, Ghana and Botswana ranked as the top three countries with the highest percentages of women-owned businesses across the 58 markets evaluated around the world.
The study examined publicly available data from international organisations including the International Labour Organisation, UNESCO and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.
A statement said the global Index tracked the progress and achievements of women entrepreneurs and business owners at three levels – women’s advancement outcomes, knowledge assets and financial access, and supporting entrepreneurial factors.
Findings showed that women were able to make further business progress and have higher labour force participation rates in open and vibrant markets where the support for the SMEs and ease of doing business was high.
Mastercard’s Head of Marketing and Communications for the Middle East and Africa, said, Beatrice Cornacchia, said, “Women entrepreneurs continue to have direct impact on economic growth and the well-being of society. In sub-Saharan Africa in particular, women continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to supporting their communities through entrepreneurship. But to unlock the full potential of the African continent, we must continue to foster an entrepreneurship ecosystem for women that helps them to overcome barriers – whether cultural, legal, social or traditional.”
The study showed that South Africa was one of the top scoring nations when it came to women having equal access to tertiary education, and scored higher than its African counterparts with regard to financial inclusion (86 per cent) compared with men.
CopyrightPUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
DOWNLOAD THE PUNCH NEWS APP NOW ON
