Women Micro Entrepreneurs

Women as Micro Entrepreneurs in Africa

Micro entrepreneurs are people who start very small businesses. For example, Sohua started her own business selling solar lamps in Africa.

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​What is a micro entrepreneur?

Multiple Choice

What is a micro entrepreneur?

• Someone who starts a huge corporation.

• Someone who starts a very small business.

• A type of entertainer.

• Someone who gets a loan.

Credit is ​the ability to borrow money. Banks, businesses or individuals may lend you money or products/services on credit with the promise that you will pay for it over time. This is also how credit cards work.

What is credit?

Multiple Choice

How do loans help people start businesses?

• They are able to afford more pizza.

• They give away sun lamps for free.

• They are able to buy the things they need to start.

• There are no loans available in Africa.

Many women in Africa start businesses to help support their families or solve problems for their community.

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​Why start a business?

Fill in the Blank

Women in Africa start businesses for two main reasons including...

Women entrepreneurs in Africa face many challenges including gender based division of labor and poverty.

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What challenges do these women face?

Many banks or lenders don't believe that these women will be able to pay back loans because they live in poverty. Because of this they won't lend them money. According to the UN, roughly 244 million women and girls live in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Poverty

Traditionally in Africa, women stay home to care for children while men work to support their families. This tradition can make it harder for people to accept women joining the workforce and starting businesses.

Gender Based Division of Labor

Challenges

– Anne Shongwe, UN Representative

“Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path toward gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.”

Open Ended

What does the quote on the previous slide mean? “Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path toward gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.”

– Anne Shongwe, UN Representative.