New UNCTAD Study Highlights Barriers and Opportunities for Women Digital Entrepreneurs in Africa
Report urges financing, skills training, and inclusive policies to unlock growth potential
A new UNCTAD study, “Breaking down barriers for women digital entrepreneurs: Insights from Africa”, sheds light on the structural challenges and gender biases faced by female founders in the digital economy. Drawing on the experiences of 94 entrepreneurs from the UNCTAD-led eTrade for Women initiative, the report highlights both the promise and the hurdles of women-led enterprises across the Global South. The study comes ahead of UNCTAD16 in Geneva this October, where inclusive digital economies will be a key agenda.
The women surveyed operate across e-commerce, fintech, agri-tech, and health-tech. While their businesses remain small – averaging under 10 employees – they generate annual turnovers of around $140,000. Importantly, their impact goes beyond profit: 62% mainly hire women, and many provide digital solutions that address social needs such as payments for underserved groups and accessible online health services. “We’re not doing this for ourselves. We’re doing it for Africa, and for future generations,” said Hilda Moraa, advocate for English-speaking Africa.
Despite these gains, barriers persist. Nearly 70% of respondents struggle to access finance, with limited collateral restricting opportunities. Globally, female-only founding teams attracted just 2.3% of venture capital in 2024 — $6.7 billion out of $289 billion. Cross-border trade is another stumbling block, with half reporting difficulties. Many also juggle unpaid care responsibilities, slowing their business growth. “These barriers are not just numbers – they represent lost opportunities for economic growth and development,” said Torbjörn Fredriksson of UNCTAD.
The report calls for stronger support ecosystems, including easier access to financing, export-readiness initiatives, inclusive procurement, and simplified compliance. It also underscores the importance of digital and business skills training to build resilience. “We don’t just need access to finance; we need ecosystems that trust and invest in us,” said Vèna Arielle Ahouansou, advocate for Francophone Africa.
With funding from Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, eTrade for Women continues to champion female entrepreneurship. The report signals that empowering women digital entrepreneurs is not only a matter of fairness but also essential to building inclusive and sustainable economies across Africa and beyond.
