Harnessing the power of partnerships for sustainable development

Sustainable development in Africa is top of mind right now as the UN looks to galvanize the power of partnerships to achieve its key goals. Indeed, SDG Goal 17 specifically aims to Revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, particularly in parts of the world such as Africa. There is much talk about the need for partnerships between big governments and big business. But what is often underestimated is the power of entrepreneurs to be driving forces for sustainable development in Africa, working in partnership with these bigger players. Women entrepreneurs in particular are at the heart of communities, they understand the challenges and the development needs better than anyone, and importantly, they take an innovative approach to finding lasting solutions. What these impact driven women entrepreneurs need is to forge partnerships with big business, governments and development agencies built upon a shared vision, and shared goals to make big change happen. It is precisely these types of partnerships that will deliver on sustainable development objectives in Africa for the long-term.