Grace Ashiru
Mastercard and Women’s World Banking have recently unveiled an enhanced collaboration to bolster support for female entrepreneurs throughout the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. This strategic partnership is geared towards generating one million employment opportunities for women by the year 2030.
In 2023, Women Choice, an international organization dedicated to advancing women’s personal and professional development, launched a pilot cohort. Their goal for 2024 is to impact 50,000 women entrepreneurs. The organization introduced two new initiatives: ImpactHer and EmpowerHer. These programs aim to provide women entrepreneurs with comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources to support the growth of their businesses and create employment opportunities in their respective fields.
“At Mastercard, we are dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and equitable world, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” stated Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA, Mastercard. “Our expanded partnership with Women Choice will not only significantly impact women in the workplace across the region but also equip women entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, resources, and tools to succeed and drive economic growth in the area.”
Women Choice has successfully connected more than 15,000 women entrepreneurs through its extensive network. Over the past few years, these women have actively participated in over 100 accelerator programs and conferences, solidifying their presence in the business world.
We are delighted to witness the remarkable outcomes of the program launched in 2023 in partnership with Mastercard and eagerly anticipate the continued expansion of this collaboration throughout 2024. Our current focus is on amplifying the impact, effecting change, and enhancing the status of women in the workplace. Providing support to women-led businesses is a crucial component in fostering economic growth and prosperity in the Middle East and Africa region. As stated by Nezha Alaoui, Founder & CEO of Women Choice, “Empowering women is essential for the advancement and flourishing of economies in the region.”
The Mastercard-Women’s Choice partnership aims to empower women, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate economic development throughout the MEA region.
