Women Are Drivers Of Social Transformation Through Entrepreneurship – UN
In a world increasingly shaped by innovation and enterprise, women are standing out as powerful agents of social change.
The United Nations has described women as key drivers of social transformation across Africa through entrepreneurship, recognising their growing role in shaping sustainable economic and community development.
Speaking at the National Entrepreneurship Summit and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE) in Abuja, the UN Women Country Representative, Beatrice Eyong, represented by Patience Ikechukwu, Programme Officer for Women Empowerment, commended Nigerian women for their resilience and leadership in enterprise.
“Across Africa, women entrepreneurs are not just business owners; they are drivers of social transformation. They lead enterprises that create jobs, support families, and strengthen communities,” Eyong said.
She cited the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM 2023), which shows that women in Sub-Saharan Africa make up 42% of total early-stage entrepreneurs, the highest regional rate globally.
In Nigeria, women own about 41% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), a major contribution to GDP growth and employment generation.
Eyong praised NAWE for advancing women’s economic empowerment across the country, noting that this year’s summit celebrates “women’s creativity, resilience, and leadership in shaping a sustainable and inclusive Nigeria.”
Representing the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, the Head of Gender at the Ministry, Hawa Usman, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.
“Women’s leadership is central to sustainable development. When women succeed, the nation succeeds,” she stated, adding that the Ministry has established a Gender Unit to enhance women’s access to finance, training, markets, and industrial clusters.
Other speakers, including Jamilu Goma, President of the National Shippers Association of Nigeria, urged women to engage strategically with trade bodies and leverage international exhibitions to boost visibility and export potential.
NAWE’s Deputy National President, Bridget Gambo, reiterated that empowering women benefits the entire nation. “When you train a woman, you train a nation,” she said, calling on the federal government to include women in policymaking, especially in business-related initiatives.
Chairperson of the summit, Philomena Badaiki, and the Director General of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Vera Ndanusa, also encouraged women to embrace technology and remain steadfast in scaling their enterprises.
Ndanusa praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting women-owned businesses, saying: “This is the time to stay focused and grab the opportunities the current administration is rolling out. Scale up your businesses and add value for profit maximisation.”
The event showcased women’s innovation, resilience, and determination to transform communities through enterprise, a testament to their growing influence in driving Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
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