Gender and Enterprise Development in Sub-Saharan Africa : A Review of Constraints and Effective Interventions

Campos, Francisco ; Gassier, Marine

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: GENDER;    ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT;    WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS;    SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE;    MICROENTERPRISE;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-8239
RP-ID  :  WPS8239

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Female participation in entrepreneurialactivities is higher in Sub-Saharan Africa than in any otherregion. However, women-owned businesses significantlyunderperform those owned by men. This paper identifies themain constraints that women face in developing theirbusinesses in Africa and discusses how these constraintsinfluence strategic choices in areas such as level ofinvestment and sector of operations. The paper synthesizesthe emerging lessons about what works and what does not workto address the underlying constraints to the performance ofwomen-owned firms. Moreover, it identifies knowledge gapsand priority research questions. The paper aims to supportthe development of a gender-informed policy and researchagenda on enterprise development that can guidepractitioners, development partners, and researchers whoseek to advance women's economic empowerment in Africa.