Business Women in Africa: Expanding Beyond Borders

Women entrepreneurs have an important role and  impact to the growth of businesses indifferent sectors in Africa’s economy, yet the number is disproportionate. At the Francophone African Business Summit, industry leaders shared insights on how female business owners Operate, Raise capital, cash flow sustainability, manage wealth and Human Resources in order to expand their reach and build stronger enterprises. Aïssatou Leblond outlined key strategies for growth, while Feza emphasized the importance of collaboration among women.

Panel session: Moderator: Ololade Ajayi (Group managing director, Arduvo Group), panelist Aissatou Leblond (CEO & Managing Partner, Opera Capital), Sylvia Monthe (DFI Executive), Laurence Feza (Head of DFI’s development, Rawbank DRC) and Raimatou Fagbemi (Director of Risk Analysis and Management, CDC)

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Africa’s economy. To successfully expand beyond their current markets, Aïssatou Leblond highlighted three essential strategies:

   1.         Enhancing Product and Service Delivery – Understanding customer needs and continuously improving products or services is essential for business growth. Adaptability and innovation are key to staying competitive.

   2.         Building Strong Networks – Business success is often driven by relationships. Entrepreneurs should actively seek opportunities to connect with industry peers, potential partners, and key stakeholders.

   3.         Forming Strategic Partnerships – Collaboration can open doors to new markets, shared resources, and fresh expertise. Strong partnerships create long-term business stability and growth.

Feza stressed the importance of women working together to strengthen businesses across various industries. Instead of competing, women should collaborate, mentor, and uplift one another. By fostering a supportive business community, female entrepreneurs can build sustainable and successful enterprises.

Raimota Fagbemi emphasized the need for thorough research before entering or expanding in any industry. Entrepreneurs must familiarize themselves with industry regulations, market trends, and operational guidelines to make informed decisions and avoid setbacks.

The discussions at the Francophone African Business Summit reinforced that African women entrepreneurs have the potential to scale their businesses with the right approach. By focusing on quality, networking, collaboration, and industry knowledge, they can break barriers and create lasting success. More importantly, by supporting one another, women can drive collective progress and contribute to a thriving business ecosystem across Africa.