Gender-Smart Investing Key for Women Economic Empowerment, Stronger Growth in North Africa: ECA

Addis Ababa, June 8, 2023 (FBC) – The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Office for North Africa and Oxford Economics Africa held a joint online workshop on “Gender-Smart Investing for Inclusive Growth in North Africa.”

It is stated that the event was an opportunity for ECA and Oxford Economics Africa to present the preliminary findings of a joint report on this topic to North African policymakers, academics, private sector, and development partners.

The report investigates both the entrepreneurial and the small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) landscapes in North Africa with a specific focus on women’s contributions.

It also presents recommendations for governments to foster a more favourable environment for women-led enterprises and therefore put national economies on a path of faster, more inclusive and resilient growth.

Current employment figures in North Africa show that women account for a significantly lower share of the working age population than the global average (less than 20 percent of North Africa’s employed working-age population is female against a global average just above 40 percent).

North Africa can significantly benefit from increased female contribution to its economy. According to recent research, SMEs and entrepreneurship are positively linked to faster economic growth and job creation. “Since women often bring skills that are complementary to men’s, well-targeted policies, strategies and investments supporting female-led SMEs could also have a positive impact on overall productivity” said Zuzana Brixiova Schwidrowski, Director at the ECA Office for North Africa.

Oxford Economics Africa is a majority-owned subsidiary of Oxford Economics that specializes in political and macroeconomic research in Africa.