WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS CENTRAL TO FCT’S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – MAHMOUD

By: Austine Elemue

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has revealed that the FCT Administration under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike is aligning its development agenda with global sustainability goals by promoting green enterprises and supporting initiatives focused on climate resilience, circular economy practices, and environmentally responsible production.

Mahmoud made this known while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference for Women Entrepreneurs, organized by ImpactHER, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

Speaking on the conference theme, “Rethink, Reinvent, Regenerate,” the Minister described it as a timely call to action for African women entrepreneurs to challenge outdated models, embrace innovation, and contribute to building resilient and environmentally sustainable economies.

Mahmoud used the occasion to reaffirm the commitment of the FCT Administration to creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive as part of efforts to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

She noted that women across Africa are playing transformative roles in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, fashion, and fintech, redefining enterprise and innovation.

She, however, acknowledged that many women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic challenges, including limited access to finance, markets, technology, and policy support.

Mahmoud emphasized the importance of platforms like the Africa Green Conference in providing visibility, fostering collaboration, and shaping policies that unlock the full potential of women-led businesses across the continent.

Commenting on the ongoing efforts in the FCT, the Minister stated that the Administration is implementing reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing capacity-building initiatives, and simplifying business processes to reduce regulatory bottlenecks for entrepreneurs.

“The future we seek—prosperous, equitable, and sustainable—cannot be achieved without the active leadership of women.

“Women entrepreneurs are not just participants in the economy; they are architects of a new development paradigm,” she stated.

The Minister also commended ImpactHER for its dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs across Africa and for organizing the impactful conference.

Earlier, the Founder of ImpactHER, Barrister Efe Ukala, called for urgent global alignment with the realities and innovations already being driven by African women.

She emphasized that African women are already leading in sustainable enterprise, stressing that the gathering represents a bold call to reposition women not as beneficiaries, but as architects of a sustainable global African future.

While highlighting the economic potential of the green economy, she revealed that the sector is valued at over $5 trillion globally and continues to grow rapidly, yet African women remain largely excluded from premium markets.

She identified lack of certifications, regulatory compliance, and access to global standards as critical barriers limiting women entrepreneur despite their active role in trade.

She explained that the conference aims to bridge this gap by equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and knowledge needed to access formal markets, secure certifications, and scale their businesses globally.

She also reaffirmed ImpactHER’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment, noting that the organization has supported over 250,000 women across Africa and the Caribbean.