The Inclusion of African Women and Ecommerce (Ecommerce Forum Africa)

7 Dec 2023 09:00h - 10:00h UTC

official event page

Table of contents

Disclaimer: This is not an official record of the UNCTAD eWeek session. The DiploAI system automatically generates these resources from the audiovisual recording. Resources are presented in their original format, as provided by the AI (e.g. including any spelling mistakes). The accuracy of these resources cannot be guaranteed. The official record of the session can be found on the UNCTAD website.

Full session report

Lobna Mansour

Women in Egypt face various barriers to digital entrepreneurship, including a lack of digital skills, fears around payment processes, and insufficient soft skills. Additionally, many women in rural areas are unaware of how to access the internet. However, the e-commerce market in Egypt offers significant potential for women, with high rates of internet and mobile phone usage in the country. Online platforms can provide cost-effective and easier management solutions for women looking to start their own businesses.

To address these barriers, there is a need for digital skill development and training, focusing not only on technical skills but also on soft skills such as marketing and budgeting. These skills are crucial for running a successful business in the digital era. Lobna Mansour, through her startup, actively works to provide services to entrepreneurs, particularly women in rural Egypt. Their focus is on capacity building, digital literacy, and helping entrepreneurs establish an online presence. They also offer programs to enhance digital skills and provide an understanding of payment methods.

Lobna Mansour believes that keeping entrepreneurs up-to-date with new technologies is essential. Her startup emphasizes the importance of specialized courses in fields like big data and artificial intelligence. These courses help entrepreneurs stay knowledgeable and relevant in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In conclusion, promoting gender equality in entrepreneurship requires providing women with more access to training venues, technology equipment, and specific courses in digitalization. By addressing the barriers faced by women in Egypt, such as a lack of skills and financial literacy, we can create an environment that fosters entrepreneurial growth and empowers women to participate in the digital economy.

Laura N Naliaka

The AFCFTA protocol on digital trade is seen as instrumental in promoting women’s participation in e-commerce. It is argued that including provisions for digital infrastructure, cross-border data transfers, and digital payments can benefit women-led SMEs. Negotiations are ongoing to develop this protocol, focusing on articles promoting cross-border data transfers and digital payments.

Supporting facts include ongoing negotiations for the AFCFTA protocol on digital trade. Additionally, it is stated that most SMEs in Africa are run by women, and providing favorable conditions for digital trade would benefit women entrepreneurs. The ability to transfer data and facilitate digital payments can be advantageous for women traders.

However, there is a digital divide in Africa, particularly concerning internet access. Data from the ITU shows that men have higher internet access compared to women, indicating a gap that limits women’s participation in digital trade.

To address specific barriers, negotiations are underway for a protocol for women and youth in trade. This protocol aims to tackle issues like access to finance and cultural barriers.

Implementing the AFCFTA is crucial for harnessing its benefits. Domesticating the articles from various protocols is important to ensure the support needed for digital trade.

Advocacy efforts for the AFCFTA are necessary as many people are unaware of its advantages. Increased awareness and understanding are needed to encourage support for the AFCFTA.

In conclusion, the AFCFTA protocol on digital trade promotes women’s participation in e-commerce. Provisions for digital infrastructure, cross-border data transfers, and digital payments can benefit women-led SMEs. However, the digital divide and specific barriers hinder women’s participation. Implementing the AFCFTA and increasing advocacy are important for harnessing its benefits.

Moderator – Nagwa Ibrahim

The discussions focused on the impact of e-commerce on women empowerment in Africa. E-commerce was seen as a powerful tool that can empower women by reducing barriers to entry and enhancing their economic inclusion. It offers flexibility in running enterprises and lowers the capital needed to start businesses, making it more accessible for women entrepreneurs. E-commerce has the potential to bring about gender parity in sales and contribute significantly to Africa’s GDP. Additionally, increased internet penetration and mobile adoption in Africa provide a substantial opportunity for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage online sales.

However, many African businesses, particularly MSMEs, are at risk of being left behind if they do not adopt e-commerce. Therefore, the adoption of e-commerce is crucial for the growth and survival of African enterprises.

Several challenges and barriers hinder women from benefiting from digitalization and e-commerce. Many women lack the necessary digital skills to reach more customers and increase their sales. Limited access to the internet, especially in rural areas, further hampers their ability to leverage social media platforms for business purposes. Moreover, women often have concerns about online payment methods due to perceived risks. Additionally, the lack of soft skills like marketing and business management further limits their success in e-commerce.

Addressing these barriers is crucial for ensuring women’s financial inclusion and allowing them to benefit from digital skills. Women entrepreneurs in Kenya face challenges related to financing and lack of skills, which hinder their business growth. Similar problems were identified in South Africa and Egypt. Access to bigger markets is another issue plaguing many women-driven small businesses. Furthermore, women entrepreneurs often lack the knowledge and support to make informed decisions about target audiences, marketing strategies, and have limited access to supportive infrastructure for payments and logistics.

UNCTAD was recognized for its role in the development of e-commerce in Africa, conducting e-readiness assessments and implementing e-commerce strategies in different countries. Targeted support around digital skills is crucial for boosting the adoption of e-commerce in African markets. Notably, more women feel comfortable using social media to conduct business, highlighting the importance of providing them with the necessary tools and training.

The AFCFTA digital protocol and the protocol on women and youth in trade were seen as significant steps towards supporting women in the African e-commerce sector. These protocols aim to overcome the challenges faced by women in e-commerce and are expected to have a significant impact in the coming years.

The discussions also emphasized the need for greater advancement in financial inclusion and digitalization for women in Africa. It was noted that hiring policies and programs tailored towards attracting and retaining more women in the workplace are essential. Establishing and maintaining strong networks and mentorship programs were also seen as crucial for women’s empowerment and success in e-commerce.

Promoting women’s participation in e-commerce through a digital trade protocol was highlighted as a positive step towards achieving gender equality. The services that e-marketplaces provide to women were deemed impactful in facilitating their participation in e-commerce businesses.

It was recognized that internet access should be made accessible and affordable to ensure equal opportunities for all. Additionally, monitoring was deemed essential in assessing the remaining challenges and identifying potential future initiatives to further support women empowerment and digitalization efforts.

In conclusion, while e-commerce offers significant opportunities for women empowerment in Africa, there are barriers and challenges that need to be addressed to ensure women’s financial inclusion and success in the digital economy. By tackling issues such as limited access to digital skills, internet connectivity, financing, and market access, African countries can unlock the full potential of e-commerce and create an inclusive and thriving business environment for women.

Terfa Ashwe

African women entrepreneurs in the ECOWAS region, Egypt, and Kenya face challenges such as a lack of digital skills and access to finance. One notable finding is that due to the lack of necessary digital skills, many women resort to using social media platforms for business operations. This highlights the need for targeted support to bridge the digital skills gap and foster e-commerce growth in African markets. The study identified a specific skill gap in business skills relevant to e-commerce, implying that targeted support can significantly enhance the adoption of e-commerce among women entrepreneurs.

In addition, the importance of digital skills is emphasized, but it is crucial to tailor these skills to the unique needs of women entrepreneurs and their businesses. By targeting women in leadership positions across various industries and providing them with extra support, their work can be effectively scaled up. Women-led enterprises have a deep understanding of the challenges they face and possess market insights, enabling them to create adaptable programs that address their specific needs.

Mentorship programs and business collaborations have proven highly effective in promoting women-led businesses. Connecting businesses allows for the sharing of experiences and ideas, fostering a collaborative environment that brings forth new opportunities to explore markets and increase visibility.

Furthermore, evidence-based policy interventions play a crucial role in supporting women in e-commerce. To effectively support women entrepreneurs, it is essential to understand and measure their specific needs in different contexts. The study emphasizes that every business and every woman is unique, advocating for tailored interventions instead of a generic, one-size-fits-all policy approach. Copying and pasting the same policy plan in every environment does not yield desirable results. Therefore, evidence-based interventions tailored to different environments are vital for successfully supporting women in e-commerce.

In summary, African women entrepreneurs encounter challenges such as a lack of digital skills and access to finance. It is necessary to provide targeted support to bridge the digital skills gap and foster e-commerce growth in African markets. Digital skills should be tailored to the specific needs of women and their businesses. Mentorship programs and business collaborations are effective in promoting women-led businesses. Evidence-based policy interventions in e-commerce play a vital role in supporting women, emphasizing the importance of unique interventions tailored to different environments.

Speaker 1

The main barriers for women in Kenya to benefit from digitalisation are financing and skills training. Many women face difficulties accessing finance, which limits their ability to invest in digital business or e-commerce ventures. Additionally, there is a lack of skills needed for these digital ventures, further hindering women’s participation in the digital economy.

In the realm of small businesses, market access is a significant obstacle for women. They often have a limited customer base, preventing their businesses from growing. Furthermore, women in small businesses lack the necessary infrastructure support in terms of payment and logistics, which hampers their ability to expand and thrive.

However, strategies for accessing wider markets and infrastructure support can serve as a catalyst for women in business to thrive. Women need knowledge on creating the right products for wider markets and accessing such markets. With the right strategies and support, women can overcome barriers and tap into larger markets.

E-commerce platforms, particularly social media, have been instrumental in promoting business growth for women. However, these platforms can only take businesses up to a certain level. As businesses scale up, handling transactions and logistics require more advanced technology and digital skills.

Private companies are playing a crucial role in enabling wider access to technology. Marketplaces such as Small Africa provide a platform for craft space in Africa, allowing entrepreneurs, particularly women, to access larger markets without having to build a website from scratch. Additionally, companies like Google and Amazon Web Services offer credits to small, women-led organisations for building infrastructure, further empowering women in business. On the other hand, public companies might be less effective in providing access to e-commerce technologies.

Policies are essential to regulate and improve internet access, which serves as the backbone of the digital economy. Currently, data is expensive, limiting access for many. It is crucial to make internet access affordable and accessible to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their economic background, can participate in the digital economy.

In conclusion, financing and skills training are the main barriers for women in Kenya to benefit from digitalisation. However, strategies for accessing wider markets, infrastructure support, and the involvement of private companies can help women in business succeed. Additionally, policies are needed to regulate and improve internet access to ensure a more inclusive digital economy. By addressing these challenges, women can fully participate in and benefit from the digital revolution, driving economic growth and gender equality.

Karen Nadasen

The analysis explores the barriers and solutions surrounding gender equality and financial inclusion in Africa. One significant barrier highlighted is the lower prevalence of banking among women compared to men. This disparity in banking access creates a significant obstacle for women in accessing financial services and limits their economic empowerment. The analysis also emphasises the importance of private companies in facilitating digitisation and increasing accessibility to financial services. Organisations like RAINN partner with the government to promote digitisation, while Google and Microsoft have made substantial investments in technology infrastructure in Africa. These collaborations between private companies and governments demonstrate how public-private partnerships can contribute to bridging the digital divide and improving financial inclusion.

Flexible payment solutions are another key aspect discussed in the analysis. PayU offers diverse payment options, including cash and ‘pay later’ solutions, catering to the diverse needs of women. The uptake of flexible payment services is shown to be more prevalent among women, which further underlines the importance of designing and offering financial products that cater to their needs.

Inclusive hiring practices are also highlighted as crucial for facilitating gender equality and financial inclusion. The analysis underscores the need for implementing such practices within all private companies. PayU, for instance, tailors its hiring policies to attract more women and has mentorship and monitoring programmes in place to retain and promote women within the company. Additionally, PayU sponsors learnership programmes that train women in digital skills and prepare them for positions in tech companies, contributing to their economic empowerment.

The analysis also sheds light on the challenges faced by women-led businesses in the online selling sphere. Activities such as setting up a website, marketing, and contacting delivery companies require significant investment, which can be a hurdle for women entrepreneurs. To address this, the analysis emphasises the necessity of educating women and providing them with more opportunities to sell online. Various options for selling online, such as using e-commerce platforms or selling through social media, are available, and it is important to provide information about these options to women, enabling them to make informed decisions.

Access to technology and network building are identified as critical factors in promoting gender equality. While many initiatives exist to increase access to technology, there remains a lack of centralised information on where to access such technology. The analysis suggests that public and private organisations should be representative of the demographic, supporting the notion that no one should be left behind.

The analysis concludes by emphasising the importance of representation and inclusivity in organisations. By being representative and inclusive, public and private organisations can contribute to breaking down gender barriers and promoting the inclusion of women. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals of gender equality (SDG 5) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

Overall, the analysis provides valuable insights into the barriers and solutions related to gender equality and financial inclusion in Africa. It highlights the crucial role of private companies in driving digitisation and increasing accessibility to financial services. Additionally, it emphasises the need for flexible payment solutions, inclusive hiring practices, educational opportunities, access to technology, and network building to achieve gender equality and financial inclusion.

KN

Karen Nadasen

Speech speed

173 words per minute

Speech length

1393 words

Speech time

483 secs

Click for more

LN

Laura N Naliaka

Speech speed

159 words per minute

Speech length

1224 words

Speech time

462 secs

Click for more

LM

Lobna Mansour

Speech speed

142 words per minute

Speech length

1049 words

Speech time

444 secs

Click for more

M-

Moderator – Nagwa Ibrahim

Speech speed

121 words per minute

Speech length

2752 words

Speech time

1361 secs

Click for more

S1

Speaker 1

Speech speed

176 words per minute

Speech length

1246 words

Speech time

425 secs

Click for more

TA

Terfa Ashwe

Speech speed

175 words per minute

Speech length

1323 words

Speech time

453 secs

Click for more