African Women Urged to Tap into $5 Trillion Green Economy

African women entrepreneurs are being called upon to strategically position themselves to seize a larger share of the burgeoning global green economy, a sector now valued at over $5 trillion each year. This crucial message resonated throughout the second edition of the Global African Women Sustainability Conference, held in Abuja, Nigeria. The event convened over 5,000 female entrepreneurs from 58 countries, alongside numerous African ministers, government representatives, and international financial institution officials, to deliberate on sustainable business practices and global trade access.

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The global green economy is now worth more than $5tn a year and is on track to reach $7tn by 2030, and it is growing twice as fast as conventional industries.

Efe Ukala, Founder of ImpactHER Africa, emphasized that the green economy's rapid expansion presents significant opportunities that African women should not be excluded from. She noted that women already engaged in regenerative farming, waste-based construction, and solar power initiatives should be integral parts of this market. The increasing global demand for sustainable products offers fresh export avenues for women-led businesses across the continent. Ukala highlighted that consumers worldwide are increasingly willing to pay a premium for sustainably produced goods, underscoring the market's potential.

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The global African women who already farm regeneratively, build with waste, weave with eco-dyes and power villages with the sun should be a part of the market and not outside it.

Despite the immense potential, a significant challenge identified is the barrier preventing African women entrepreneurs from fully engaging in international trade. According to Ukala, these hurdles primarily revolve around certification and regulatory compliance. Many women possess sustainable products and practices but lack the necessary 'paperwork'—the certifications and documentation required to prove their adherence to international standards. This gap prevents them from accessing formal markets, even though an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa is conducted by women.

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Consumers around the world are now willing to pay nearly 10 per cent more for sustainably produced goods. The premium is real, and that tells us there is a market.

The conference actively addressed these challenges through focused sessions on building sustainable business foundations, understanding certification processes, and navigating regulatory requirements. The goal is to equip these entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, such as ISO certifications and export licenses, to gain global recognition and market access. From a continental perspective, this initiative is vital for economic empowerment, ensuring that African women are not left behind in a critical global economic shift and can fully leverage their contributions to sustainability.

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The UN Women itself names the barrier: limited capacity to comply with regulatory requirements, with safety standards, and with quality standards. Our women have the products. They do not have the paperwork. They have the practice. They do not have the proof. They have sustainability. They do not have the certificate that lets the world see it.