African women entrepreneurs have been urged to position themselves for greater participation in the rapidly expanding global green economy, estimated to be worth more than US$5 trillion annually.
The call was made during the second Global African Women Sustainability Conference held in Abuja, where thousands of female entrepreneurs, policymakers and development institutions gathered to discuss sustainable business growth, trade access and economic inclusion.
Organisers said more than 5,000 participants from 58 countries attended the conference, which focused on the role of women entrepreneurs in building sustainable economies across Africa and the wider Global South.
The event brought together ministers from over 10 African countries, representatives of international organisations and delegates from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Institutions represented included the African Development Bank, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the African Export-Import Bank.
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The conference was organised under the theme: “Rethink, Reinvest, Reintegrate: Women Entrepreneurs As Architects of Global Africa’s Sustainable Future.”
ImpactHER Africa founder Efe Ukala said the accelerating growth of the green economy presented significant opportunities for African women-led businesses in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, recycling and environmentally friendly manufacturing.
“The global green economy is now worth more than $5 trillion a year and is on track to reach $7 trillion by 2030,” Ukala said.
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“It is growing twice as fast as conventional industries.”
She said African women already involved in environmentally sustainable activities — including regenerative farming, solar energy projects and eco-friendly textile production — must be integrated into international value chains rather than remaining excluded from global markets.
“The women who already farm regeneratively, build with waste, weave with eco-dyes and power villages with the sun should be part of the market and not outside it,” she added.
Participants said growing consumer demand for sustainable products worldwide could create major export opportunities for African businesses.
Ukala noted that consumers were increasingly willing to pay premium prices for sustainably produced goods, opening new possibilities for women entrepreneurs if they can access international markets.
She also highlighted the major role women play in informal trade across the continent.
According to conference organisers, women account for an estimated 70 percent of informal cross-border trade in Africa.
Despite their strong presence in commerce, many female entrepreneurs remain excluded from formal export systems because of regulatory and certification barriers.
Ukala identified compliance requirements, product standards and certification processes as some of the main obstacles preventing African women-owned businesses from scaling internationally.
“Our women have the products. They do not have the paperwork,” she said.
“They have sustainability. They do not have the certificate that lets the world see it.”
Conference sessions therefore focused heavily on training related to export readiness, international standards, licensing and sustainable business practices.
Organisers said the goal was to help women entrepreneurs secure certifications, improve market access and connect with global buyers.
“Our women deserve an ISO certification, an export licence and a global buyer for their products,” Ukala said.
Government representatives attending the conference pledged stronger support for women-led enterprises through improved financing access, policy reforms and trade facilitation measures.
Delegations from countries including Nigeria, Chad, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Gabon said empowering women entrepreneurs would be critical to Africa’s economic growth and sustainable development goals.
Analysts say Africa’s green economy potential is attracting increasing global attention as countries seek climate-friendly growth models and cleaner supply chains.
However, experts warn that access to financing, infrastructure, digital tools and export certification remains limited for many small and medium-sized enterprises across the continent.
Development institutions have repeatedly stressed that greater inclusion of women in sustainable industries could significantly expand employment opportunities and improve household incomes in Africa’s rapidly growing economies.
