African Women: Key to Economic Growth, But Still Overlooked

Adama Adiatu in Sierra Leone

African women are pivotal to the continent’s progress, yet systemic neglect of their education and employment opportunities continues to result in significant economic losses. Speaking at a United Nations General Assembly side event hosted by the Mastercard Foundation, Julie Gichuru, founder of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute, emphasized: “African women are holding us up.” Research commissioned by the Mastercard Foundation estimates that addressing barriers to young women’s workforce participation could inject $287 billion into the global economy by 2030.

Barriers Hindering Women’s Progress

Obstacles such as inadequate school facilities, adolescent pregnancy due to limited contraception access, and lack of financial services hinder young women.

The burden of unpaid care work, including childcare, elder care, and household chores, disproportionately falls on women, leaving little room for education or employment.

Research highlights that easing care-related burdens alone could enable 11.4 million women to enter the workforce by 2030.

Currently, only 26% of African girls complete secondary education, and women spend 3.4 times more hours on unpaid care work than men, limiting their economic and educational opportunities.

“When women are educated, they acquire skills that allow them to make significant contributions to families, communities, and economies,” said Reeta Roy, Mastercard Foundation’s president and CEO.

Policy and Investment Gaps

At the event, speakers agreed that systemic changes and intentional action are essential. Jemimah Njuki from UN Women highlighted the need to shift focus from “fixing women” to addressing systemic inequalities.

Policies such as Kenya’s redistribution of unpaid care work and Sierra Leone’s education investment fund are examples of national initiatives making a difference.

Financial inclusion also emerged as a critical factor. Access to financial services enables women to launch and expand businesses.

Despite this, women-owned startups receive only 2% of venture capital in Europe and the U.S., with similar data often unavailable in Africa, further masking the inequality.

Funding and Collaboration Are Critical

Sierra Leone’s minister of technical and higher education, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, stressed the importance of funding education, noting that Sierra Leone dedicates 22% of its budget to education.

Private sector involvement was also underscored, with companies encouraged to co-invest in initiatives like childcare facilities and technical training to support women’s employment.

At the event, the Mastercard Foundation announced an additional $360 million investment to help 70,400 women and girls complete their education, start businesses, or secure jobs.

Over the next seven years, this funding will also support initiatives by organizations like CAMFED and the Forum for African Women Educationalists, potentially impacting over 3.3 million young people.

Technology as a Catalyst for Change

Technology is another game-changer. Digital platforms like the one developed by Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation are empowering women with skills, mentorship, and job opportunities.

The McKinsey report highlights growing opportunities for women in ICT sectors across Africa, which currently employ 64,000 women.

Innovative projects such as Namibia’s gender-focused property reforms and Sierra Leone’s vocational training initiatives provide replicable models for other African nations.

“The future of work is digital, and women must be empowered to take these opportunities,” said Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Nigeria’s former minister of youth development.

The Path Forward

While Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals outline a framework for progress, action remains limited.

“There’s not the Africa we want if it’s flying with one wing,” said Marieme-Esther Dassanou of the Mastercard Foundation. To achieve meaningful change, policymakers, financial institutions, and the private sector must work collectively to dismantle barriers and drive gender equality.