By| Goodluck E.Adubazi,
Abuja
Prominent African leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs have called for stronger investment in women’s empowerment as a pathway to ending poverty across the continent.
This was the central message at the Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The high-level event, organized by ImpactHER in collaboration with the African Union and hosted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), drew participants from across Africa, including government officials, mayors, and business leaders.
In her keynote address, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Community Development emphasized that poverty in Africa can only be eradicated through deliberate efforts to empower women economically and socially.
“Women remain the backbone of our economies.
If we are serious about eliminating poverty, then empowering African women must be a top priority,” she stated.
The conference also featured engaging fireside chats with mayors from various African cities. One mayor underscored the critical role women play in development, remarking, “If Africa is the table, then women are the legs that hold it up.”
A key recommendation that emerged from the discussions was a call for African leaders—particularly in Nigeria—to allocate uncompleted buildings and unused properties in Abuja to women entrepreneurs.
According to participants, such spaces could be repurposed to support small businesses and help them scale sustainably.
Entrepreneurs present at the conference also shared their experiences with Africa News Nation, highlighting both the challenges they face and the opportunities that initiatives like the conference provide.
The Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference concluded with a renewed commitment among stakeholders to advance policies and programs that support women-led enterprises and inclusive economic growth across the continent.
