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Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi, has called for stronger investment in women entrepreneurs and greater continental collaboration to advance sustainable development across Africa.
Dr. Mahoi made the statement while addressing delegates at the Global African Women Sustainability Conference 2.0 in Abuja, Nigeria, where African leaders, policymakers, development partners, innovators and entrepreneurs gathered to discuss women-led development and sustainability on the continent.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Rethink, Reinvent, Regenerate: Women Entrepreneurs as Architects of Global Africa’s Sustainable Future,” the Gender Minister said empowering women entrepreneurs is now critical to Africa’s economic transformation, resilience and inclusive growth.
According to Dr. Mahoi, women must be placed at the center of development policies and economic opportunities if Africa is to achieve sustainable progress.
She highlighted Sierra Leone’s efforts toward promoting gender equality through the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, which guarantees 30 percent representation for women in leadership and decision-making positions.
The Minister described the legislation as a transformative step aimed at ensuring women actively participate in shaping national policies and development agendas, rather than serving symbolic roles in governance and public institutions.
Dr. Mahoi also outlined ongoing initiatives by the Government of Sierra Leone to support women and girls through improved access to finance, digital literacy programmes, entrepreneurship training, technology, agriculture and innovation.
She stressed the need for stronger community engagement, including the involvement of traditional leaders, in addressing harmful cultural norms that continue to limit opportunities for women and girls across many African societies.
According to the Minister, creating enabling environments for women to thrive in trade, agriculture and the creative economy remains essential for sustainable national and continental growth.
Calling for broader pan-African cooperation, Dr. Mahoi urged governments, private sector institutions, civil society organisations and development partners to work together in building sustainable systems that prioritise women’s empowerment and participation.
“The future of Africa is female, and the sustainability of Africa is entrepreneurial,” Dr. Mahoi stated during her address.
Her participation at the conference reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable development, while promoting greater opportunities for women and girls to lead, innovate and succeed across all sectors of society.
