This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
According to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (Miwe) 2019, Uganda leads Africa in countries with a high number of women-owned enterprises as a percentage of total business owners.
Despite poor entrepreneurial supporting factors, Uganda ranked first at 38.2 per cent of female owners as a percentage of total business owners, followed closely by Ghana at 37.9 per cent and Botswana at 36 per cent.
These countries, along with Malawi and Angola, made it to the top 10 globally, despite being poorer, less developed, and lagging behind in terms of knowledge assets, financial access, and support for entrepreneurs.
Uganda's exceptional case is attributed to its unique entrepreneurial ecosystem and below-par entrepreneurial conditions, where high social regard is conferred to successful entrepreneurs who demonstrate innovation, individuality, creativity, and risk-taking.
However, women in Uganda and other low-income economies face numerous challenges, including poor governance, low financial inclusion, and limited opportunities for women to rise in the workplace as business leaders and professionals.
Despite these challenges, a higher proportion of working-age women are engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activity at 37.1 per cent than men at 33.7 per cent.
