This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
Visa Empowers Women Entrepreneurs in Africa ¶
Visa has launched She's Next, Empowered by Visa, in Africa to support female micro-and small-business owners. The program aims to encourage women entrepreneurs as they fund, run, and grow their businesses across the continent.
On September 6, 2019, Visa announced the global expansion of She's Next, Empowered by Visa, at the 28th World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town. This expansion is part of Visa's ongoing commitment to support female entrepreneurs.
According to Visa, the number of women entrepreneurs is growing around the world, with 163 million starting businesses since 2014 alone. In Africa, 26% of women start or manage a business, making it the highest percentage globally.
“Women entrepreneurs are the backbone of local economies, and the need for support is real. Closing the gender gap requires persistent hard work and support,” said Aida Diarra, senior vice president and group country manager, Visa Sub Saharan Africa. “That is why Visa is using its voice to shine a light on the contributions and economic potential of female-owned micro-and small-businesses around the world.”
Visa's She's Next, Empowered by Visa, in Africa will provide women entrepreneurs with tools to build their businesses. The program will also offer networking opportunities, including access to experts, a pop-up marketplace, and new research on the role of technologies like electronic payments in enabling business success.
Visa has partnered with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to increase the financial inclusion of small businesses and women-owned small businesses globally. The partnership aims to help empower women to participate in the international digital trade economy.
Visa's support of women entrepreneurs is part of its ongoing commitment to promoting financial inclusion and empowering women to succeed in business. The company has launched several initiatives to support women entrepreneurs, including the Visa Everywhere Initiative: Women's Global Edition and the Visa Foundation's partnership with Women's World Banking.
