Experts: African Female Entrepreneurs Should go Green to Be Relevant in Business

Eromosele Abiodun

The current African economic outlook shaped by global market dynamics and international markets as well as key regulatory changes in the import/export landscape, global future market access are some of the important reasons why African female entrepreneurs must go green if they want to remain relevant in business.

These assertions were agreed upon by various experts at the maiden edition of the African Women Sustainability Conference held in Abuja, Nigeria with the theme: “Igniting Africa’s Green Revolution: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs as Catalyst for Sustainable Growth and Unlocking Access to Eco-financing.”  The conference was held in partnership with the African Union, hosted by the FCT, Abuja and supported by Aruwa Capital, ToolUp and UNDP with various African governments in attendance.

According to the Founder, ImpactHER, Efe Ukala, “the current African economic predicament cannot follow the same economic pathway of developed markets to achieve prosperity, we must chart a new course, we must think sustainably, whilst pursuing growth, this approach will afford the African development story a new pathway to prosperity that will allow us leapfrog certain challenges and accelerate our advancement. This is why our path forward must embrace both industrialization and sustainability – our future market access depends on it. With over 1,400 female entrepreneurs from about fourteen African countries in attendance, we can make a change by going green.”

Giving an example, she said: “Europe have moved beyond merely preferring green certifications – they’re now legally requiring them. The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which came into force in June 2023, requires strict certification that products are deforestation-free before they can enter the EU market. This affects key African exports including cocoa, coffee, and palm oil. Additionally, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), starting in 2026, will require carbon emissions reporting for steel, cement, and other industrial exports.

“For African businesses, especially our women entrepreneurs, these aren’t just regulations – they represent a fundamental shift in market access. The EU remains Africa’s largest trading partner, with total trade valued at €288 billion in 2022. Meeting these new standards isn’t optional – it’s essential for maintaining and growing our share of this crucial market”.

In her own speech, Honourable Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, explained that the African female entrepreneurs must be equipped with the right green tools for them to excel in their business endeavours. She called on various African governments to prioritise the needs of female entrepreneurs to boost their nation’s economy.