The African Union Commission’s Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate, in collaboration with the Sterling One Foundation and with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has brought together public and private sector leaders to fast-track economic and financial inclusion for women and youth across Africa.
The engagement was part of the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion Initiative (WYFEI 2030) — a flagship programme of the African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion (2020–2030). This initiative was launched in 2022 with the goal of unlocking $100 billion in private capital to support 10 million African women and youth by the end of the decade.
In a statement on Wednesday, the organisers noted that the convening focused on closing persistent financing gaps and identifying actionable solutions that would enable more equitable access to economic opportunities for women and youth.
The session, backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, also placed a strong emphasis on the private sector’s role in building inclusive ecosystems that benefit underserved populations.
Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate at the African Union Commission, highlighted the urgency of reform, stating, “A fundamental shift is needed to place women and youth at the centre of resource allocation, policy-making, and accountability.” She stressed that the private sector should not be seen as a guest but as a co-owner of the agenda, committed to co-investment, innovation, and scale.
Echoing her remarks, Ms. Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, emphasised the need to move beyond token inclusion, asserting that “Women and youth are not peripheral to Africa’s economy. Any agenda that sidelines them is simply incomplete.” She further stated that withholding capital from these groups limits the continent’s growth potential and called for execution-driven partnerships that reflect Africa’s economic realities.
Dr. Tobias Thiel, Director of GIZ African Union Portfolio, underlined the systemic nature of the problem. He described the lack of access to finance as both a moral and economic failure, urging stakeholders to act boldly and with a shared sense of purpose to achieve inclusive development.
A panel discussion held during the event featured both public and private sector players who explored how early-stage investments can be scaled in underserved markets. Discussions revolved around improving market infrastructure, designing gender- and youth-responsive financial products, and building data systems to make women- and youth-led enterprises bankable.
Key areas of interest also included expanding business development services, promoting technical support, and addressing structural challenges that hinder access to credit and capital for young and female entrepreneurs.
One of the highlights of the convening was the introduction of the EmpowerHer Africa initiative by Dr. Nadi Albino, Deputy Director of Partnerships at UNICEF. The initiative aims to create pathways for 50 million adolescent girls and young women across Africa to gain access to finance, technology, and entrepreneurship resources under the WYFEI 2030 framework.
This bold ambition aligns with the broader goal of equipping the next generation of African women to become leaders and innovators in their communities and sectors.
The organisers and stakeholders reaffirmed their dedication to translating conversations into action, ensuring that Africa’s demographic dividends—especially women and youth—are not only recognised but actively empowered to participate in and benefit from economic transformation.
As implementation continues, WYFEI 2030 stands out as a central mechanism for redefining how capital, partnerships, and policy can drive inclusive growth across the continent.
