EntreprenHER South-South Exhibition celebrates women entrepreneurs across three Southern African countries during Global Entrepreneurship Week

Date: Tuesday, 27 January 2026

EntreprenHER South-South Exhibition 1 — During Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, selected women entrepreneurs from Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa engaged in cross-border learning and networking at the South-South Joint Exhibition in Botswana. Photo: UN Women/ Maphuti Mahlaba

On the eve of Women's Entrepreneurship Day 2025, government officials and private sector representatives, and women entrepreneurs from Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa gathered in Gaborone for the EntreprenHER South-South Joint Exhibition, showcasing the transformative impact of cross-border collaboration in advancing women's economic empowerment across Southern Africa.

UN Women South Africa and De Beers Group, in partnership with Botswana’s Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs (MYGA), hosted the exhibition on 18 November under the theme "Promoting Access to Markets for Women-Owned Micro Entrepreneurs." The event created a platform for regional learning, business exposure, and collaboration among women entrepreneurs who have participated in the EntreprenHER programme across the three countries.

Female-owned enterprises represent 37% of micro and small businesses in Botswana, 40% in Namibia, and 34% of formal businesses in South Africa, making initiatives like EntreprenHER critical to regional economic development and job creation. The day's centerpiece was the announcement and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MYGA and Stanbic Bank Botswana, cementing their commitment to expanding financial services and entrepreneurship support for women-led businesses. The bank's announcement of grant disbursements for EntreprenHER participants directly tackles the funding challenges that prevent women entrepreneurs from growing their ventures and competing in premium markets.

EntreprenHER South-South Exhibition 2 — One of the highlights of the day was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Stanbic Bank Botswana to improve financial access and grant disbursement for women entrepreneurs in the EntreprenHER programme. Photo: UN Women/ Maphuti Mahlaba

Speaking at the event, the Minister of MYGA, Honourable Lesego Chombo, highlighted systemic obstacles, including financial, social, and institutional barriers, that women entrepreneurs navigate daily, while honoring their resolve to uplift households, communities, and economies. Her speech centered on the dual imperatives of fairness and self-assurance in advancing women's economic agency.

Between 17-19 November, coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week, EntreprenHER participants and officials from UN Women, Botswana's Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, Namibia's Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, and South Africa's Blouberg and Musina Municipalities participated in a cross-border media roadshow. The initiative showcased success stories from the programme across the three countries, amplifying the voices and achievements of women entrepreneurs who have transformed their businesses through EntreprenHER's comprehensive support.

Ms. Agness Phiri, UN Women Representative and Programme Manager, discussed the EntreprenHER Programme's achievements in reaching thousands of women entrepreneurs across the region. "Strategic collaborations have proven essential in building business competencies, opening market opportunities, and enabling women to compete in lucrative, traditionally male-dominated industries," Phiri observed. She revealed plans to incorporate digital innovation and climate-smart agriculture practices into upcoming programme iterations.

EntreprenHER South-South Exhibition 3 — EntreprenHER participants and government officials from three Southern African countries share programme success stories during a cross-border media roadshow held during Global Entrepreneurship Week in Botswana. Photos: UN Women/ Maphuti Mahlaba & Tresia Negumbo

UN Resident Coordinator in Botswana, Wenyan Yang, emphasized the programme's alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and its contribution to SDG 5 on Gender Equality. "With only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, initiatives such as EntreprenHER move us closer to increasing women's representation in business leadership and strengthening women's ownership and control of economic assets," Yang stated.

The exhibition showcased the diversity and creativity of women-owned enterprises across Southern Africa. Among the participants was Makgabo Moremi, a chemical manufacturing entrepreneur from Botswana who shared her journey from banking to establishing her own cleaning products company. Moremi credited the EntreprenHER programme with restoring her confidence and providing essential skills in market research, pricing strategies, cost separation, and organizational structure.

"The programme taught me how to separate production costs from operational costs, how to price my products correctly, and how to position my brand in the market. Before EntreprenHER, most of my profit was being eaten by operational costs because I was only accounting for production expenses," Moremi explained.

South-South Exhibition 4 — The event concluded with a vibrant showcase of businesses led by women from the three participating countries, demonstrating the creativity, strength, and economic potential of women-owned enterprises in Southern Africa. Photo: UN Women/ Maphuti Mahlaba

The exhibition delivered immediate economic impact, with several women entrepreneurs generating sales of about $750 within three hours of showcasing their products. This underscores the untapped potential of women-owned businesses when provided with market access and visibility platforms. "What is often missing is the connection between producers and buyers, especially for micro-owned enterprises. With sustained access to local and regional markets through initiatives like the South-South exhibition model, women-owned enterprises across Southern Africa have the capacity to generate significantly higher revenues, create jobs, and contribute substantially to national economic growth," said Phiri.