By Chibuzor Alli
African women are seeking greater control over the continent’s economic opportunities, with business leaders calling for improved access to finance, manufacturing, international markets and decision-making platforms.
The demand took centre stage ahead of the maiden African edition of the Women in Management global economic forum, scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 10 to 11, 2026.
Organised by Women in Management Africa (WIMAFRICA), the conference will bring together women leaders, entrepreneurs and business executives from across the world at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, under the theme, ‘The Power Shift: Women Driving Africa’s Global Economic Influence.’
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the Chairperson of WIMAFRICA, Dr Ngozi Oyewole, said the organisation wanted to move African women beyond economic participation to positions where they could influence investment, business decisions, trade and resource allocation.
Oyewole, who is also Vice Chairman of the Industrial Training Fund and founder of Commonwealth Business Women Africa, argued that women already played significant roles in agriculture, manufacturing, trading and entrepreneurship but continued to face barriers limiting their economic influence.
“The power shift is about where women make decisions, especially economic decisions as they affect them. African women are already holding up local markets and participating in different trades. What we are doing is amplifying what they have been doing and ensuring that they take the right decisions about what they produce and how they utilise their productive capacities,” she said.
She said the conference would focus on unlocking opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly in local manufacturing, backward integration and the development of competitive African supply chains.
According to her, women-owned businesses must expand beyond trading into manufacturing and investment if they are to secure a stronger position in Africa’s economic transformation.
Financing gap threatens women-owned businesses
One of the major concerns highlighted by Oyewole was the difficulty women entrepreneurs face in accessing working capital, even when they have confirmed orders from customers.
She explained that many businesses struggle to raise funds for raw materials, workers’ salaries and production expenses while waiting for payments from buyers.
Oyewole called on financial institutions to develop financing products that reflect the actual operating conditions of women-owned enterprises, particularly manufacturers and small businesses.
She also urged government agencies and corporate organisations to create more procurement opportunities for qualified women-owned businesses and ensure that contractors receive payment promptly after completing their jobs.
She argued that the success of government policies on women’s economic inclusion should be measured not merely by policy announcements but by the number of women-owned businesses securing contracts and how quickly they receive payment.
AfCFTA offers opportunities, but awareness remains low
Beyond financing, Oyewole identified limited knowledge of continental trade procedures as another obstacle preventing African women from accessing larger markets.
She noted that many entrepreneurs lacked practical understanding of AfCFTA rules of origin, documentation requirements and procedures for trading across African borders.
She called for targeted training and institutional support to help women-owned businesses take advantage of the opportunities available under the continental trade agreement.
The WIMAFRICA chairperson also highlighted inadequate infrastructure, particularly poor road networks and unreliable electricity, as major constraints affecting women in agriculture and rural enterprises.
According to her, transportation difficulties and unstable power supply increase operating costs and contribute to post-harvest losses, especially among women dealing in perishable agricultural products.
She said improved rural infrastructure would lower production and distribution expenses, strengthen the profitability of women-led businesses and make locally produced food more affordable.
Oyewole further called for stronger protection of women’s property rights, warning that cultural practices in some communities continued to limit women’s access to land and other productive assets.
Global network seeks to connect African women to investment opportunities
Meanwhile, the Founder and Chairperson of Women in Management, Dr Sulochana Segera, said bringing the global platform to Africa was aimed at connecting African women to international business, investment and trade opportunities.
Segera, who established the organisation in Sri Lanka 16 years ago, said WIM had expanded its network to 29 countries, providing a platform for women to exchange expertise, develop partnerships and establish cross-border business relationships.
She said the partnership with Oyewole would also provide greater international visibility for African women through the WIM Top 50 recognition platform.
According to her, the initiative would celebrate women’s contributions to economic development by recognising their talents, resilience, innovations and achievements beyond their professional positions and titles.
“I think only women can change the world. Not that we are putting the men out, but women are the change makers because, at the end of the day, women are the creators,” she said.
Segera stressed that the Lagos gathering would go beyond an awards ceremony, explaining that the organisers wanted to facilitate lasting business relationships, investment opportunities, trade partnerships and economic cooperation.
She disclosed that some international award recipients had already established connections with African women, including the introduction of artificial intelligence platforms and innovative business solutions across the continent.
The WIM founder also urged financial institutions to assess women entrepreneurs based on their business potential and capacity rather than relying on traditional assumptions about their economic roles.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for discussions on how African women can increase their participation in global commerce, strengthen business networks and secure greater influence over the continent’s economic future.
Leave a comment