High potential women entrepreneurs are key to future ready economies

The Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2017 report has just been published which rates the ability of 50 global cities to attract and support high potential women entrepreneurs (those that want to grow and scale their businesses), and for Africa, the results are insightful. The cities included in this year’s report are already strong in commercial entrepreneurship, though not necessarily for women entrepreneurs, and only two African cities make the list - Johannesburg and Nairobi. Johannesburg seen as successful in nurturing female entrepreneurs, ranked 28 in the index, dropped from its 23 ranking last year. Nairobi, the other African city making this year’s index has been highlighted as a city to watch. It ranks 33 overall in the index, yet achieves a ranking of 6th in the Access to Capital listing, and 1st in the Gender Proportion in Funding list. The report highlights once again that these high potential, high growth women entrepreneurs are key to the development of future ready economies. They grow their business revenues on average 20% or more each year, creating both jobs and economic growth in their countries. They are also more likely to reinvest their profits in their families, in education and their community. Read the report here