Access to capital remains one of the primary obstacles facing women entrepreneurs across Africa, and in Mozambique, these structural barriers took center stage at the II Women’s Economic Forum in Maputo. Delegates at the summit called for urgent reforms to expand credit access, lower entry barriers for technology, and help female-led enterprises enter new national and regional markets.

Opening the forum, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo urged commercial banks and financial institutions to rethink their lending models. Chapo stressed that institutions must develop flexible credit solutions tailored to women’s economic realities, rather than relying strictly on traditional property collaterals like real estate, which many women historically lack access to.

Addressing the structural imbalance, Eulália Nhatitima, Director of the Foundation for Citizenship, noted that financial inclusion for women cannot be treated as a secondary policy goal, but rather as a fundamental driver of sustainable economic development. According to Nhatitima, when financial institutions adapt their risk assessments and move away from rigid collateral requirements, they unlock immense potential for local commerce and community resilience across the country.

Advocates at the gathering highlighted that overcoming these financial bottlenecks is essential for broader economic growth, as women-owned businesses in Mozambique consistently reinvest a higher proportion of their earnings back into local communities, healthcare, and education.

The multi-day summit continues in Maputo, bringing together policymakers, financial leaders, and civil society actors to design actionable frameworks for women-led business development across the region.

–ChannelAfrica–