Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Mastercard Foundation Expands Support for Female-Led African Businesses

The Mastercard Foundation has announced new support for female-led enterprises across Africa, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive economic growth and women’s empowerment on the continent.

The initiative is designed to improve access to finance, business development services, and growth opportunities for women entrepreneurs, who continue to face structural barriers despite playing a critical role in Africa’s economy. By backing women-led businesses, the Foundation aims to unlock their potential to create jobs, drive innovation, and contribute to sustainable development.

According to the Foundation, the support will focus on enterprises with high growth potential, particularly those operating in sectors critical to Africa’s economic transformation. The programme will also strengthen ecosystems that enable women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, including access to markets, mentorship, and investment readiness support.

Female entrepreneurs account for a significant share of Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises, yet they remain underserved by traditional financing and support systems. The Mastercard Foundation said its latest intervention seeks to close this gap and ensure women entrepreneurs are positioned as key drivers of economic progress.

The move aligns with the Foundation’s broader mission to advance education, financial inclusion, and dignified work for young people and women across Africa.