In Washington, D.C.:
Rebecca Ong +1 (202) 458 0434
E-mail: rong@worldbank.org


Washington, D.C., April 11, 2008—The World Bank Group today released a new report that focuses on women entrepreneurship in Africa. Doing Business: Women in Africa is a joint effort between the IFC-World Bank Doing Business project and the World Bank’s Gender Action Plan, which was launched by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in February 2007.  

The report is the first in a series of regional studies. It focuses on women entrepreneurs from Cameroon, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Uganda.  It looks in depth at individual businesswomen who have faced legal and regulatory obstacles in each of these countries.

“This groundbreaking report is part of a gender research initiative that identifies the legal and regulatory barriers facing businesswomen in 181 countries. It highlights reforms that can level the playing field for women and create a better business environment, benefiting both women and men,” said Simeon Djankov, IFC-World Bank Chief Economist for Financial and Private Sector Development and founder of the Doing Business project.

"I am absolutely convinced that the political and economic empowerment of women is not only smart economics but also an essential contribution to the realization of human rights and to enhancing the effectiveness of aid. Imagine where Africa could be if African women were truly enabled to unleash their full potential," said German Minister of Development, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.

The report presents case studies of women entrepreneurs who face regulatory obstacles in creating and growing their businesses. Regulations often aim at protecting women but instead force them into the informal sector, with limited job security and fewer social benefits. In Swaziland, for example, a woman can open a bank account or take out a loan only with the consent of her husband or a male relative: not surprisingly, just 30 percent of Swazi women have bank accounts, versus 52 percent of men. Women are three times more likely than men to be hired informally, and lack of mobility can also constrain their economic opportunities.

The Doing Business gender research analyzes laws and regulations in 181 countries across seven indicators: starting a business, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, and enforcing contracts. Data on civil codes and laws is also being compiled to study the impact on women’s ability to operate in business. To access the report, visit www.doingbusiness.org/womenentrepreneurs.