Between 26 - 27 May 2011, Foundation for Community Development (FDC), Mozambique in collaboration with New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) hosted an African Business Women Conference in Maputo, Mozambique. This conference brought together women representatives in the world of business from Angola, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique. Uganda was represented by two members of  Icon Women and Young People's Leadership Academy (iCON) through its intergenerational mentoring space for female social and business entrepreneurs-the Uganda Network of Women Entrepreneurs (UNWE). The purpose of this conference was to discuss the establishment of a Network of Business Women in Africa.

During this conference, information gathered in these 6 countries where consultations took place was shared. Each country gave presentations of good practices from national Business Women’s Networks.

Representatives from Kenya Women Finance Trust, a financial institution dedicated to addressing the financial needs of women shared on the work they had done in Kenya as well as the products they offered the women in business.

Zambia showcased the progress women had made through the Month of the Women Entrepreneur (MOWE) in  their country which takes place during the month of September and allows women in business to take part in various trade promotion activities.

In her presentation, Allen Baguma, young female entrepreneur from Uganda representing iCON illustrated how her membership status in icon through the intergenerational mentoring space UNWE had exposed her to a variety of networking opportunities. She emphasized the benefits of building strong networks in business and encouraged the participants to continue to form these networks in their countries. Presentations were also made from Tanzania Women’s Chamber of Commerce among others.

Representatives present also suggested a network plan of action and focal persons responsible for the preparatory phase of the creation of the Network in the various countries were chosen. In Uganda, Deborah Kaddu-Serwadda, Executive Director iCON was chosen to undertake this responsibility.

This conference provided a unique opportunity of bringing together business women, political and business leaders and other critical stakeholders to discuss issues aimed at overcoming the obstacles that affect women in business. Women had the opportunity to share experiences about their businesses, exchange contacts with the view to establish partnerships. However what is most crucial is that the stepping stones to the creation of African Network of Women Entrepreneurs were made. With this initiative African women can look forward to having a unified and visible network of African women that can not only transform but also positively influence the situation of African women Entrepreneurs.

Article by:

Sheila Kinaheirwe