African governments have been urged to move beyond enacting gender-friendly policies to adequately funding their implementation as a critical step toward unlocking the economic potential of women entrepreneurs and accelerating inclusive growth across the continent.
The call was made on Friday by Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, the deputy chief of staff (Administration) in the Office of the President of Ghana and former Minister of Gender, while delivering the keynote address at the Women’s Impact Day and closing ceremony of the Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIE) 2026 in Abuja.
Bampoe-Addo said while several African countries have enacted progressive laws on land rights, maternal health, childcare and women’s economic inclusion, inadequate implementation and funding continue to limit their impact.
“To the government, please fund the laws that you sign. Let’s fund the laws on land titling, maternal health and childcare, so that no woman has to choose between her wages and her child,” she said.
She also called on civil society organisations to bridge the gap between women operating in the informal economy and formal financial institutions by connecting market women and small-scale entrepreneurs to banks, government agencies and business support programmes.
