African Women Entrepreneurs at the Intersection of Exporting and Digital Growth

ABOUT THE EVENT 

This event will present findings from a collaborative research initiative that explores the realities of African women entrepreneurs operating in the digital economy and engaging in export activities. The focus lies on both the barriers and the breakthroughs experienced at the intersection of digital innovation and international trade.

The event is based on a research partnership between three institutions:

• ESCP Business School (represented by Dr. Alisa Sydow), contributing expertise on entrepreneurship in emerging markets
• GIBS – Gordon Institute of Business Science (represented by Dr. Marianne Matthee), offering in-depth knowledge of trade and export dynamics
• eTrade for Women, an initiative by UNCTAD (represented by Sabrina Ielmoli & Viridiana Garcia-Quiles), which supports a global community of women digital entrepreneurs

The event will serve as a platform for sharing data-driven insights into entrepreneurial identity development, digital barriers, and the dual nature of exporting as both an opportunity and a burden. Drawing on findings from UNCTAD’s new publication, developed in collaboration with ESCP and GIBS, the discussion will place particular emphasis on how institutional constraints shape the business trajectories of women entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa.