By Rachel Quartey
The Women Investment Summit Africa (WISA) 2026 has officially opened in Accra, with a strong call on government, investors, and development partners to scale up investment in women-led enterprises as a pathway to sustainable economic growth.
Delivering a speech on behalf of Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, emphasized that Ghana cannot achieve sustained prosperity while under-investing in women.
She noted that women play a critical role across key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, finance, technology, and services, and account for nearly 40 percent of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
“Participation does not always translate into opportunity,” she stated, highlighting persistent challenges such as limited access to finance, exclusion from supply chains, restricted export opportunities, and systemic gender biases.
According to her, while women have demonstrated resilience in the face of these constraints, resilience alone is not enough to drive growth. She stressed that with the right support systems, women-owned businesses can expand, create jobs, and significantly transform the economy.
The Minister outlined several government interventions aimed at addressing these challenges, including targeted financing initiatives, institutional support through agencies such as the Ghana Enterprises Agency and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, as well as expanded access to digital and financial services.
She also disclosed that government is nearing the launch of a Women Development Fund, expected to provide concessionary, collateral-free loans, financial literacy programmes, and credit guarantees to support women-led enterprises.
Calling on private sector actors and investors, she urged deliberate and consistent action to unlock patient capital, integrate women into supply chains, and expand their access to international markets.
“Embedding women in core business strategies is not an act of goodwill—it is a strategy for growth,” she said.
Founder and CEO of the Oxford Africa Women Leadership Institute (OAWLI), Odelia Ntiamoah Boampong, underscored the need for practical support systems to help women meet financing requirements.
She explained that OAWLI continues to serve as a bridge between women entrepreneurs and funding opportunities through platforms like WISA, which connects participants to investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.
“This year, we are advocating for more than just promises. Women need structured support to meet investment criteria and access funding,” she said, proposing the creation of catalytic funds to help women scale their businesses to investment-ready levels.
The summit, held at the British Council on March 30, 2026, brought together women entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and policymakers from across Africa.
Under the theme “Give to Gain: Empowering Women Investors, Entrepreneurs & Leaders to Thrive,” participants explored opportunities for capital mobilisation, partnerships, and business growth. Exhibitions were also held, allowing women-owned businesses to showcase their products and services to potential investors and clients.
Organisers, the Oxford Africa Women Leadership Institute (OAWLI), say the summit continues to play a vital role in connecting women entrepreneurs to the financial resources needed to scale their businesses and compete on the global stage.
