Introduction

In today’s rapidly shifting global landscape, women-led small and growing businesses (SGBs) are facing mounting challenges in accessing international markets.

Global trade disruptions, such as President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, which imposed duties on $2.5 trillion of imports and caused substantial supply chain disruptions worldwide have added to the complexity. Similarly, across Africa, women-led SGBs contend with regional shocks, such as the 2020 closure of Nigeria’s land borders and evolving trade dynamics under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These events have increased operational costs, restricted market access, and highlighted the vulnerability of cross-border commerce for small businesses.

As the global business environment grows more digitally interconnected, ecosystem support organizations (ESOs) play a critical role in equipping women-led SGBs with the support, networks, and tools they need to participate in and benefit from global value chains.

Rationale for the Program

While women in low- and middle-income countries show some of the highest levels of entrepreneurial intent, they continue to face systemic barriers to growth, among them: insufficient access to markets, financing, strategic partnerships, and reliable digital infrastructure. Digital technology, when accessible and used effectively, can serve as a powerful enabler, offering new channels for marketing, e-commerce, logistics, and international trade.

Ecosystem actors such as ESOs, DFIs, and investor networks are uniquely positioned to bridge these gaps. They can support women-led SGBs in leveraging digital tools and partnerships to overcome traditional growth barriers and seize new opportunities in global markets.

This session aims to:

• Highlight how ESOs can support women entrepreneurs in adopting digital growth strategies and building resilient supply chains
• Showcase African Women Amplified (AWA) as a digital platform that strengthens visibility, connection, and resource-sharing
• Facilitate cross-sector networking between ecosystem actors and women-led businesses to spark scalable, sustainable collaborations
  
• Promote regional learning and connection by bringing together ecosystem leaders and women entrepreneurs from both Francophone and Anglophone West Africa, fostering knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration

This power-packed session themed ‘Scaling Across Borders’ will convene key players across Francophone and Anglophone West African entrepreneurial ecosystem; including ESOs, funders, and women-led SGBs to gain practical knowledge, share regional insights, and explore new growth pathways together.