ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has identified women entrepreneurs as indispensable drivers of a sustainable future for Abuja and Nigeria, even as the FCT Administration moves to align its development strategies with global sustainability targets.
Mahmoud made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference for Women Entrepreneurs, organised by ImpactHER at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Speaking under the theme, “Rethink, Reinvent, Regenerate,” the minister said the FCT Administration, led by Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike, is actively promoting green enterprises and backing initiatives focused on climate resilience, circular economy practices, and environmentally responsible production.
She described the conference theme as a timely call for African women entrepreneurs to embrace innovation and champion environmentally sustainable economic growth.
According to Mahmoud, the FCT Administration remains committed to fostering an enabling environment for women-owned businesses through reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing capacity-building, and simplifying business processes.
“The future we seek — prosperous, equitable and sustainable — cannot be achieved without the active leadership of women,” she said. “Women entrepreneurs are not just participants in the economy; they are architects of a new development paradigm.”
The minister acknowledged that women across Africa are already transforming key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, fashion, and fintech. However, she lamented that many continue to face significant obstacles, including limited access to finance, markets, technology, and policy support.
She stressed that platforms like the conference are essential for fostering collaboration, increasing visibility, and driving policy reforms capable of unlocking the full potential of women-led enterprises across the continent.
Mahmoud also commended ImpactHER for its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and advancing inclusive economic growth across Africa.
Earlier, the Founder of ImpactHER, Barrister Efe Ukala, urged the global community to recognise and support the growing contributions of African women to sustainable enterprise and economic transformation.
Ukala argued that African women are already at the forefront of sustainable innovation and should no longer be viewed merely as beneficiaries, but as architects of Africa’s future.
Highlighting the vast opportunities in the green economy, she disclosed that the sector is currently valued at over $5 trillion globally. However, she lamented that African women entrepreneurs remain largely excluded from premium international markets.
According to her, a lack of certifications, regulatory compliance hurdles, and limited access to global standards continue to hinder many women-led businesses, despite their strong participation in trade and enterprise.
She explained that the conference was designed to bridge this gap by equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and expertise needed to access formal markets, secure international certifications, and scale their businesses globally.
Ukala further revealed that ImpactHER has so far supported over 250,000 women across Africa and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to women’s economic empowerment.
