Women entrepreneurs can help build agriculture value chains across Africa

Agriculture currently accounts for 32% of GDP in Africa, offering the greatest potential for poverty alleviation and job creation. A recent research report by KPMG and the UN Global Compact highlighted that increasing the participation of small and medium sized agribusinesses in value chains advanced sustainable development. It also pointed to the need to create more local value added goods, to meet the fast-growing demand in both African and overseas markets. Women entrepreneurs are seizing the opportunity to build businesses that transform locally grown raw materials into world class products and brands. They are generating market demand, both at home and abroad, providing sustainable incomes for local farmers and creating new sources of consumers for locally grown products. Women entrepreneurs are tangibly helping to build agriculture value chains across Africa, so when their businesses thrive, so do local agri-communities.