ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (XOL Africa) — A new digital playbook featuring 25 African women entrepreneurs aims to help women-led businesses secure financing, expand operations, create jobs and contribute to economic growth across the continent.
The publication, Financing Business Growth, was unveiled by the African Development Bank Group’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa, known as AFAWA, in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, a social impact innovation company.
The playbook features women entrepreneurs from 17 African countries who have built businesses across sectors including agribusiness, fashion, finance, renewable energy, health care, technology, manufacturing, retail, security and water management. Several of the entrepreneurs featured have received direct support through AFAWA.
Through interviews and case studies, the publication examines how women business leaders have navigated the challenges of raising capital and used financing to scale their companies.
It offers practical guidance on securing investment, building investor confidence, strengthening business operations and developing sustainable enterprises, according to the African Development Bank.
“The Financing Business Growth playbook is founded on a simple belief: some of the most valuable lessons a woman entrepreneur can learn come from another woman who has successfully navigated the journey before her,” said Melanie Hawken, founder of Lionesses of Africa.
“Drawing on firsthand experience of overcoming challenges and securing funding, this playbook offers practical guidance to help more women entrepreneurs unlock the capital they need to grow and succeed,” Hawken said.
The publication is intended as a resource not only for women entrepreneurs but also for financial institutions, policymakers and organizations that support businesses.
AFAWA Coordinator Melissa Basque-Roux said improved access to finance could have broader economic effects by enabling women-led businesses to expand and create employment.
“At AFAWA, we know that when women entrepreneurs gain access to finance, they do far more than grow businesses — they create jobs, strengthen communities and drive economic transformation,” Basque-Roux said.
“This playbook highlights what is possible when women entrepreneurs could thrive and provides practical guidance to support more founders follow that path,” she said.
The African Development Bank said the playbook builds on research into Africa’s gender financing gap by documenting the real-world experiences of women entrepreneurs across different industries and markets.
The initiative forms part of the bank’s broader efforts to improve women’s access to capital, strengthen private-sector development and promote entrepreneurship as a driver of inclusive economic growth.
AFAWA was established to help address an estimated $42 billion financing gap facing women entrepreneurs in Africa. The initiative provides financing, technical assistance and policy support while working with financial institutions to create a more supportive environment for women-owned businesses.
Lionesses of Africa connects more than 1.8 million women entrepreneurs across Africa’s 54 countries and the diaspora in Europe and North America through digital platforms, business resources, research and entrepreneur support programs.
The organizations said the playbook demonstrates how targeted financial support, sound business fundamentals and stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems can help women-led businesses grow and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.
