Africa’s future depends on its women, says Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole. Speaking at The Platform on Thursday, she urged leaders to remove systemic barriers blocking women from thriving.
Oduwole said African women are driving entrepreneurship, but lack access to finance, markets, and leadership roles. “Women account for nearly 60% of Africa’s self-employed population, yet they face systemic barriers. That has to change.”
She stressed the importance of gender-intentional policies, arguing that leadership should not be something women have to prove their worth for. “When policies are not gender-blind but gender-intentional, real change happens.”
Inclusive Leadership and Economic Reforms
Oduwole noted that across Africa, women are moving from market stalls to boardrooms, leading industries traditionally dominated by men.
She referenced studies showing that women in leadership prioritize collaboration, social infrastructure, and fairness, adding, “Leadership is not a gendered gift. The absence of women in leadership is a loss not just for women but for society.”
She called for new systems that support women economically, stating that giving women access to business tools and networks ensures long-term growth. “When women have access, they don’t just participate—they lead, they grow, and they multiply value.”
Oduwole urged African nations to share knowledge and support each other’s economic growth. She asked, “What can a Kano investor learn from an incubator in Lusaka? What can a Ugandan policy reformer teach a Senegalese entrepreneur?”
She ended by emphasizing that Africa’s success must not be achieved in isolation. “The time for siloed success is over. Africa must grow together.”
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