The recently concluded Absa InspireMe Conference 2024, the continent’s largest gathering of women entrepreneurs, saw the participation of 10,000 women from various Absa participating countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Mauritius, and Uganda – as well as countries under SheTrades Hubs in Africa, such as Rwanda, South Africa, The Gambia, and Nigeria.
The two-day hybrid conference provided a platform for female entrepreneurs to engage, share experiences, and develop the tools and knowledge needed to elevate their businesses.
During the conference, a few women-led businesses from the agrifood, textiles and apparel, handicrafts, and accessories sectors engaged in one-to-one business meetings with 11 UK buyers and representatives from 20 large African corporations.
These interactions aimed to explore investment opportunities and enhance market access for SME business owners. Representatives from International Trade Centre SheTrades Hubs also discussed potential collaborations with delegates from the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chamber International, and West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as export opportunities through the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
Absa Bank MD/ CEO, Abdi Mohamed, reiterated the significance of the forum in facilitating stakeholder engagement to address business challenges faced by women-owned businesses, in order to identify opportunities for growth. He cited a McKinsey Report which suggested that full economic participation by women could add USD 12 trillion to global GDP by 2025.
