The contribution of women and youth entrepreneurs to Africa’s economy is becoming more visible, although access to regional markets remains constrained by persistent barriers.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues, Daniel McKorley underscored the need for targeted support to unlock this potential within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
McKorley, Executive Chairman of the McDan Group, emphasised that women‑led enterprises play a central role in the economy, particularly in informal sectors where they constitute a significant share of traders and microbusiness owners. “Women own about a third of formal businesses and up to 80–90% of informal businesses. Yet they face some of the highest barriers to finance,” he told delegates, underlining that these imbalances are not merely gender issues but broader economic inefficiencies that undermine Africa’s growth.
To address these challenges, McKorley revealed that initiatives under his oversight have supported over 5,000 women entrepreneurs across Africa through interest‑free loans and capacity‑building programmes. These interventions are designed to help women scale operations, build networks, and access regional supply chains.
While such programmes are expanding opportunities at the grassroots level, broader systemic barriers remain. At the same dialogue, Vice‑President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku‑Agyemang noted that fewer than 20% of African SMEs currently engage in export trade, citing limited access to finance, market linkages, and structural constraints as major impediments.
Youth entrepreneurs are also central to discussions on job creation and economic inclusion. McKorley echoed this point, noting that with millions of young Africans entering the workforce annually, enterprises must complement traditional employment pathways. Empowering youth‑led start‑ups and ventures with the tools to innovate and scale is critical to absorbing the continent’s burgeoning workforce and ensuring that opportunities under the AfCFTA benefit all demographics.
Coordinated action is needed. Policies that facilitate access to capital, strengthen market linkages, and reduce regulatory hurdles will not only enable women and youth entrepreneurs to participate in intra‑African trade but also accelerate job creation and broader economic transformation across the continent.
