The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA) has launched a regional initiative to strengthen women’s participation in the digital economy across Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Namibia, and the Republic of Congo.
The project, titled Fostering Digital Entrepreneurship among Women in Africa, aims to address structural barriers that continue to limit women’s access to digital skills, financial services, and online markets. It also seeks to help governments develop more inclusive, gender-responsive policies that support digital entrepreneurship.
Implemented by UN ECA’s Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Development Division (TICID), the four-year programme combines support for women entrepreneurs with efforts to strengthen national policy and regulatory frameworks. The initiative will provide practical digital and financial skills while helping policymakers create more inclusive digital ecosystems.
Over the next four years, more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs will receive training in digital literacy and financial management. In addition, more than 200 policymakers and government officials will participate in capacity-building workshops and regional policy dialogues.
Activities across the four countries will include eight national workshops, a regional training programme, an online learning platform, and study tours designed to promote knowledge sharing, strengthen policy frameworks, and build practical skills.
A key milestone was the establishment of a multi-stakeholder coordination taskforce during a virtual kick-off meeting held on 18 May 2026. The taskforce will coordinate implementation, facilitate knowledge sharing, and ensure the project aligns with national development priorities through close collaboration with UN agencies and government counterparts.
During a follow-up technical meeting, members agreed that interventions should be tailored to the unique socio-economic conditions of each participating country while integrating gender and youth considerations throughout implementation.
As an immediate priority, the taskforce identified the need for comprehensive assessment studies in each country over the next six months. These assessments will help identify local challenges, opportunities, and policy gaps, providing the foundation for country-specific interventions.
Scheduled to run until 2029, the initiative forms part of UN ECA’s broader strategy to promote inclusive digital transformation across Africa. By equipping women with the skills and rehile supporting governments to create enabling policy environments, the programme aims to drive inclusive economic growth, expand entrepreneurial opportunities, and contribute to sustainable socio-economic development across the continent
