Women in African Economies: Documenting African Women’s Realities

ABSTRACT Women entrepreneurs operating micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the informal sector make a significant contribution in African economies. Most of their earned income from selling and trading goods and services is spent caring for their families. Their contributions to the economy are often invisible, undervalued, and not reflected in the national system of accounts. Women in MSMEs also work hard to overcome gender-based discrimination in the labor market and the financial sector. The realities faced by women in MSMEs in the six articles provide insights into their achievements and challenges, as well as opportunities for their empowerment. They also highlight the strategic roles that women play and their survival strategies. The introductory article is based on a literature review, and it highlights global commitments to women’s human rights, as well as regional agreements to promote gender equality and inclusive growth. This framework provides a context for understanding and analyzing the common experiences shared by women microentrepreneurs. It also highlights opportunities for restructuring national economies, laws, policies, and programs to create a more enabling environment for inclusive economic growth and development, especially for women in MSMEs in the informal sector.