In a video message marking International Women’s Day 2025, the Director of the Regional Integration Coordination Office at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Joy Kategekwa, emphasized the critical role of women in regional integration.
She urged financial institutions across Africa to develop targeted financing solutions for women entrepreneurs.
Through the Affirmative Financing Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, the AfDB is reshaping the financial landscape to support women entrepreneurs in achieving full regional integration.
This initiative enables the Bank to provide funding to commercial banks for on-lending to women-led businesses and enterprises.
Dr. Kategekwa also highlighted that this initiative not only facilitates business startups but also strengthens the ability of women entrepreneurs to sustain and scale their ventures.
She expressed concern over the persistent challenges women face in accessing finance, despite research showing that women are more consistent in repaying loans.
She also underscored the need for women to have greater access to land ownership, which is essential for engaging in large-scale productive activities.
She however, pointed out that deep-rooted norms and perceptions continue to limit women’s access to financing.
For women to fully participate in cross-border trade, she called on financial institutions to establish facilities tailored to their needs, recognizing women as key drivers of regional economic growth. She urged these institutions to adopt a gender-focused approach to business and investment, enabling women entrepreneurs to break barriers and contribute meaningfully to regional integration.
Dr. Kategekwa reaffirmed AfDB’s commitment to gender-responsive investments through its gender marker initiative, ensuring that all bank-funded projects consider women’s specific needs.
She also highlighted the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks, an initiative led by AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina, aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into thriving businesses.
She concluded by emphasizing the transformative potential of both the AFAWA initiative and the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Fund, which are poised to drive significant economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs and young business leaders across Africa.
