Audio By Carbonatix The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export-Import Bank, Sylvester Adinam Mensah, has highlighted Africa’s strong record in female entrepreneurship, describing it as evidence of capacity, resilience and leadership among women on the continent. Speaking at the 2026 Ghana Female CEOs Summit in Accra on Thursday, May 7, he noted that Africa records the highest rate of female entrepreneurs globally, with nearly one in four businesses owned or led by women. “Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurs, and nearly one in four businesses on this continent is owned or led by a woman. This is not a coincidence; this is capacity, this is resilience, this is leadership,” he said. Mr Mensah explained that the growing presence of women in business reflects their determination and ability to drive enterprise growth, despite structural constraints. However, he expressed concern that many women continue to earn less and struggle to scale their businesses due to limited access to funding, markets and other critical opportunities. "Despite these achievements, women-led businesses continue to earn significantly less than those owned by men, not due to lack of competence but due to unequal access. Access to finance, access to market, access to opportunity." He called for stronger and more coordinated support systems to empower women-led enterprises across Africa, stressing that addressing these gaps is essential for inclusive economic development and sustainable growth on the continent. DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Tags: Africa Ghana Female CEOs Summit 2026 Women-led businesses DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Related to this story Africa cannot rise without full power of women—Exim Bank CEO Africa must address training gaps, retain health staff – Opoku-Agyemang Digital technologies critical to strengthening Africa’s health systems – WHO BoG backs cross-border fintech expansion to deepen African markets Governor Asiama advocates right conditions to propel Africa’s financial services Ghana to pilot Africa’s continental digital trade corridor – Opoku-Agyemang announces Africa must move beyond payments to unlock next phase of digital finance – BoG Governor Payments, identity, regulation and infrastructure key to Africa’s digital integration – Vice President Scaling Together: Prudential Bank MD’s advice on fintech‑bank partnerships in Africa What Is Wrong with Us? Why do we Reject Colonialism yet Cling to its Titles? Latest Stories Africa leads in female entrepreneurship but faces gaps in opportunity access – Sylvester Mensah12 seconds GJA President represents Ghana at IFJ Centenary Congress in Paris4 minutes Mahama, appointees donate GH¢6.1m to Mahama Cares Fund10 minutes Ghana launches Ghana House initiative ahead of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games12 minutes Africa cannot rise without full power of women—Exim Bank CEO13 minutes Letshego sells operations in Ghana, 4 other African markets14 minutes Dr Eli Atukpui urges Health Minister to refer Charles Amissah report to Medical and Dental Council for action15 minutes Ghana Exim Bank CEO calls for bold female leadership to drive Africa’s transformation18 minutes APL report says macroeconomic gains yet to improve living conditions of Ghanaians19 minutes MIIF delegation visits Newmont Ahafo North Mine23 minutes Committee that probed Charles Amissah’s death to appear before Parliament38 minutes Attorney-General’s office refutes allegations of denial of counsel in Hanan Abdul-Wahab case40 minutes Sports Minister Kofi Adams receives Boris Kodjoe in courtesy call led by Black Star Experience41 minutes 2026 U20 WWCQ: Black Princesses arrive in Kampala ahead of Uganda second leg1 hour Asutifi South launches support for pregnant girls to curb stigma, dropout rates1 hour