On how women entrepreneurs are shaping the future of manufacturing and also positioning Africa as a competitive player in global markets, CNBC Africa is joined by Frida Owinga, Regional Director for WEConnect International in Africa for more insights.
On how women entrepreneurs are shaping the future of manufacturing and also positioning Africa as a competitive player in global markets, we are joined live by Frida Owinga, Regional Director for WEConnect International in Africa for more. Frida, thank you so much for joining us again on the show. So straight to our conversation, women in manufacturing. There's a lot we've talked about when it comes to women, but today let us focus on what role are women-led businesses playing when it comes to shaping the future of Africa's manufacturing sector, and also how we can address some of the industry-based challenges. Yes, unmute please, Frida. Thank you so much, Tabitha, for having me again. Women own about 30 percent of manufacturing businesses in Africa. That is the role they are playing currently, and this figure continues to grow as they gain greater access to markets, to funding, and to mentorship. These businesses are driving innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, particularly in sectors like textiles, agribusiness, and green manufacturing. Women leaders are pivotal in value addition. They turn raw materials into export-ready goods, boosting trade under the AFCFTA. Just yesterday I was with a young girl that does leather. She does leather manufacturing, and they use the waste to create really beautiful handbags that are, you know, they're patched up, and they're different colors, but also the total waste that comes out from the leather, they recycle it for something else. So that is what they do. Some of the things that women are doing in the manufacturing space. To overcome the challenges, some of these many challenges that we can overcome, I'll share a few here. Of course, access to finance is always at the top, because without money you can't go very far. We need to improve access to affordable financing through tailored loan products, grants, and partnerships with financial institutions. Most financial institutions are still using traditional ways of lending money, which do not acknowledge that women do not always have collateral, so they can't access those funds. So traditional way of financing normally hurts women. Skills development. Many organizations don't take into consideration that a woman may not be able to come to class in the morning or go for networking functions in the evening. So when we talk about skills development, it's not just about creating spaces where they can learn, but also creating spaces where they can learn and be supportive of their caregiving duties. So they need targeted programs, targeted mentorship, where they can get this knowledge in a way that supports them and their lifestyle. When you see advocacy... Yes, carry on, carry on. All right. Advocating for gender-responsive policies that ensure equal access to opportunities, to resources, and support networks. Always taking into consideration that a woman's lifestyle is very different. What a woman does in the morning and what a man does in the morning is very different. So considering these when we're getting into policy and advocacy must be very intentional. In Kenya, we have the access to government procurement opportunities that mandates government agencies to have 30% of their procurement going to women and people with special needs. However, they were not trained to do this. So they're still struggling. You're asked to go to a portal. You may not have access to internet. You may not have access to a computer. So having a way that... Maybe having a center. I know we have Uduma Center in Kenya, but we are talking about the entire Africa. So other African countries can copy Kenya, but have centers where women can come at a time that is suitable for them, come with their children, have pressures where their children, facilities to accommodate them with their children, have access to Wi-Fi. So they know that I can go to that center on Tuesdays in the afternoon and get my certification done or something like that. The other thing is networking and mentorship. Like I said earlier, networking opportunities normally happen as breakfast or cocktail. That is a time when a woman is very, very busy. She's busy getting her kids ready for school, or she's busy at home making sure the kids came back, they're doing homework, and they're ready for school tomorrow. So while these things are great, we need to have them with a gender lens. Yes, Frida. Finally, one that I must... Please allow me to add technology and innovation, because to promote access to modern technologies and equipment that improve productivity and reduce labor-intensive tasks will really support women to do better. Back to you, Tabitha. Indeed, indeed, Madam Frida. Thank you so much for those greetings. So from WeConnect International, what are you doing on your end to support these women? And also what is the future outlook for women-led manufacturing businesses in Africa, briefly? At WeConnect, we help women manufacturing businesses access new markets and scale by connecting them to global corporate buyers and procurement opportunities. As a woman-owned business, you can register for free on our website as a supplier so that the corporate who is in our portal can see that you are fit for purpose for their business. Beyond that, we certify you. The certification process, once you become registered, you go through an assessor to ensure that you're formalized and you're fit for purpose for a corporate. And when corporates have bids, they post them in the portal. You can see them. They can see you. And this increases your chances of winning a corporate bid, which unlocks more money into your pockets. Through training resources and mentoring, we strengthen women-owned businesses to build their capacity and enable their growth. This support has created job opportunities, particularly in local communities, by promoting local manufacturing and value addition in sectors like agribusiness and textiles. Indeed, Madam Frida, thank you so much for those great insights.
Theme: Empowering Women-Led Businesses in the Manufacturing Sector in Africa
Women entrepreneurs are revolutionizing Africa's manufacturing landscape, driving innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in key sectors such as textiles, agribusiness, and green manufacturing. With women owning approximately 30 percent of manufacturing businesses in Africa, there is a growing focus on the pivotal role they play in value addition, turning raw materials into export-ready goods and boosting trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These women are not just challenging traditional norms but also redefining the future of manufacturing on the continent. Frida Owinga, Regional Director for WEConnect International in Africa, highlighted the significant strides that women have made and the obstacles they continue to face in the industry. She emphasized the need for improved access to finance, tailored loan products, grants, and partnerships with financial institutions to support women entrepreneurs. Many women struggle to access funding due to traditional lending practices that often require collateral, which they may not have. Additionally, skills development programs must be tailored to accommodate women's caregiving responsibilities, offering flexible learning opportunities and mentorship. Advocating for gender-responsive policies that ensure equal access to opportunities and resources is crucial for enabling women to thrive in the manufacturing sector. In Kenya, initiatives like the access to government procurement opportunities have been introduced to empower women in business, but more support is needed to overcome challenges such as internet access and training. Networking and mentorship play a vital role in empowering women-led businesses, but these opportunities must be offered with a gender lens, considering the unique demands on women's time. Technology and innovation are essential for promoting access to modern tools and equipment that enhance productivity and efficiency in manufacturing. Therefore, supporting women in adopting these technologies is key to their success. At WEConnect International, efforts are focused on helping women-owned manufacturing businesses access new markets and scale by connecting them to global corporate buyers and procurement opportunities. By registering for free on the platform, women can showcase their businesses to potential buyers and increase their chances of winning bids. Certification processes and training resources further strengthen women-owned businesses, empowering them to grow and create job opportunities within local communities. This support fosters economic growth and sustainability in the manufacturing sector, paving the way for a brighter future for women-led businesses in Africa.
"Women entrepreneurs are not just challenging traditional norms but also redefining the future of manufacturing on the continent."
Women in Business, Manufacturing Sector, Africa, WEConnect International, Empowerment, Gender Equality, Innovation, Sustainability, Financial Inclusion, Skills Development, Technology, Mentorship