WIMAFRICA seeks greater economic power for African women

Women leaders, entrepreneurs and executives from around the globe will gather in Lagos for the inaugural African edition of the Women in Management (WIM) global economic forum, according to a report from Punch Newspapers. The two-day conference, set to take place on November 10-11, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel, aims to promote greater access to finance, markets, and decision-making for African women.

Dr Ngozi Oyewole, Chairperson of WIMAFRICA and Vice Chairman of the Industrial Training Fund, emphasized the need for women to move beyond participation in economic activities to positions where they can influence business decisions, trade, and resource allocation. Women in Africa contribute significantly to manufacturing, agriculture, trade, and entrepreneurship, yet they face barriers such as limited access to capital, markets, and decision-making platforms.

Oyewole highlighted the conference's focus on exploring opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly in local manufacturing, backward integration, and supply chains development. She pointed out that African women already play a crucial role in local markets and various trades, and the aim is to amplify and guide their economic decisions effectively.

The chairperson also identified several challenges hindering women's economic advancement across Africa, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, poor understanding of AfCFTA procedures, cultural restrictions, and land ownership issues. She urged financial institutions to develop financing products tailored to women-owned enterprises' operational needs and advocated for government agencies and corporations to improve procurement opportunities for qualified women-owned businesses.

Additionally, Oyewole called for stronger protection of women's property rights and better infrastructure in rural areas to reduce post-harvest losses and increase profitability for women-led businesses.