The African Business Stories Roundtable Series was launched on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2024. Over the years, through conversations with numerous female founders, one challenge has consistently emerged as the most pressing – access to finance. Despite the potential and innovation demonstrated by female entrepreneurs, significant barriers to securing capital and scaling businesses remain. According to the AfDB, women-owned businesses in Africa face a staggering $42 billion financing gap.

The goal of the roundtable series is to address this gap by bringing together female entrepreneurs, industry experts, and financiers for candid discussions, strategic collaboration, and deal-making. By working together, we aim to unlock the capital needed to not only grow our businesses but also uplift our communities.

Business success stories in Africa are rarely found in textbooks, making the curation of these narratives essential as we work to replicate success across the continent. The achievements of female business leaders are particularly significant—according to the World Bank, Africa is the only region in the world where more women than men choose to become entrepreneurs. But who are these women, and why are their stories of struggle and triumph not more widely known?

With more women than men embracing entrepreneurship in Africa, creating an empowering and supportive environment for these women is critical to the continent’s economic growth. The African Business Stories podcast amplifies the voices of audacious women who continue to succeed against all odds. It offers a window into the lives of female innovators and entrepreneurs building and leading businesses across Africa, serving as a source of inspiration and insight for Africans and the world.