A panel of leading business and regulatory figures has highlighted key initiatives and challenges in unlocking market access for women entrepreneurs at the recent Women Creating Wealth Summit. The discussion focused on regulatory support, mentorship challenges, and the implementation of procurement policies aimed at advancing women’s economic participation.
Almost 200 women entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, donors and thought leaders gathered at the summit, organised by the Graça Machel Trust (GMT), to reflect on the current state of African entrepreneurship, assess progress and chart a course for the future.
Betty Mkatshwa, Legal Counsel at the Competition Commission of South Africa, revealed findings from a recent study showing that women entrepreneurs are predominantly confined to less profitable segments of the economy, particularly service industries, rather than high value chain sectors. The Commission has been conducting sector-specific investigations to address these disparities and make binding recommendations to both government and private sector institutions.
“We have a number of provisions in the Act that allow us to look at how SMMEs are performing in the economy, how historically disadvantaged people are performing, how women are participating, and whether they are doing so meaningfully,” Mkatshwa explained. She highlighted that the Commission can also grant exemptions allowing women entrepreneurs to collaborate and pool resources, particularly in sectors like energy.
Futhi Mtoba, Co-Convenor of the Women Economic Assembly (WECONA), detailed how the organisation emerged from South Africa’s strategic response to gender-based violence, recognising economic empowerment as a crucial factor in women’s independence. WECONA works to implement the government’s commitment to allocate 40% of public sector procurement to women-owned businesses, and extends this initiative to private sector transformation.
“We looked at what various industries said about gender, and they were absolutely silent. You cannot talk about transformation without looking at gender,” Mtoba said, referring to industry sector plans. WECONA now partners with various industries to build women’s productive capacity and ensure their participation across supply chains.
The personal challenges of women entrepreneurs were powerfully illustrated by Thato Mokhotu, MD of RTT Group, a construction and consulting engineering firm. She shared her struggles in male-dominated boardrooms and the difficulty in finding female mentors. “Where are the mentors? Who is willing to guide me and hold me by the hand and say, this is how it’s done?” she asked, highlighting the need for stronger support networks among women in business.
The discussion also addressed international perspectives, with audience members from Zambia and Senegal raising concerns about information access and compliance requirements that often prevent women from participating in procurement opportunities, even where policies exist to support them.
Panellists emphasised the importance of industry-specific training, capacity-building, and information-sharing among women entrepreneurs. They concluded that success requires attention to detail, quality delivery, and strategic networking, with moderator Mpumi Maesela, CEO of SE Holdings, noting that, “People don’t buy products, they buy quality. Make sure you are doing your best. And as far as funding goes, if you have the market and you’ve created your network, the funding should follow.”
The session underscored the complex interplay between regulatory support, industry transformation, and the practical challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in accessing markets across Africa.
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