Logistics experts have said that African female entrepreneurs must go green if they want to remain relevant in business, given prevalent African economic outlook, shaped by global market dynamics and international markets, as well as key regulatory changes in the import/export landscape and global future market access.
According to a statement over the weekend, the experts stated this at the maiden edition of the African Women Sustainability Conference held in Abuja.
The event themed, ‘Igniting Africa’s Green Revolution: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth and Unlocking Access to Eco-financing,’ was held in partnership with the African Union, hosted by the FCT, Abuja, and supported by Aruwa Capital, ToolUp, and UNDP, with various African governments in attendance.
“The current African economic outlook, shaped by global market dynamics and international markets, as well as key regulatory changes in the import/export landscape and global future market access, are some of the important reasons African female entrepreneurs must go green if they want to remain relevant in business,” the statement read in part.
The founder of ImpactHER, Efe Ukala, explained that the current African economic predicament cannot follow the same economic pathway of developed markets to achieve prosperity, saying, “We must chart a new course; we must think sustainably, whilst pursuing growth, this approach will afford the African development story a new pathway to prosperity that will allow us to leapfrog certain challenges and accelerate our advancement.”
Ukala stated that moving forward, there was a need to embrace both industrialisation and sustainability, adding that future market access depended on it.
According to Ukala, with over 1,400 female entrepreneurs from about fourteen African countries in attendance, “We can make a change by going green.”
She highlighted that Europe has moved beyond merely preferring green certifications, stressing that they are now legally requiring them.
Ukala mentioned that the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which came into force in June 2023, requires strict certification that products are deforestation-free before they can enter the EU market, adding that the move affects key African exports, including cocoa, coffee, and palm oil.
Additionally, Ukala pointed out that the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, starting in 2026, will require carbon emissions reporting for steel, cement, and other industrial exports.
“For African businesses, especially our women entrepreneurs, these aren’t just regulations; they represent a fundamental shift in market access. The EU remains Africa’s largest trading partner, with total trade valued at €288bn in 2022. Meeting these new standards isn’t optional—it’s essential for maintaining and growing our share of this crucial market,” Ukala stated.
Earlier, the Minister of State for the FCT, Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, explained that African female entrepreneurs must be equipped with the right green tools to excel in their business endeavours.
She called on various African governments to prioritise female entrepreneurs to boost their nation’s economy.
