Johannesburg, 08 July 2021 - Africa is reported to have the highest number of women entrepreneurs in the world with roughly half of Africa’s population being women. Reportedly, small to medium enterprises make up 90% of Africa’s businesses, and women own about one-third of all registered SMEs in Africa. One in four African adult females initiates or manages a business.

The Circle of Global Business Women (CGBW) a global network for innovative business Women, established by African Women and Women dedicated to Africa to elevate African women to global forums and markets. The CGBW’s aim is to create a leadership shift globally by supporting the rise of Women leaders globally embodying a female wave of change and a power circle of Women leading that change.

The French embassy and CGBW in partnership are determined to contribute to the development and strengthening of women as equal players in the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. The CGBW is honoured to announce that the Circle of Global Business will be funded by Business France in partnership with ANIMA Investment Network for the next two (2) years.

The funding provided will enable the CGBW to boost linkages between 15 African Entrepreneur Networks and will offer a number of development programmes such as mentorship, coaching and exchange programs between South Africa and France for members of the CGBW. The strong relationship between the CGBW and the French Embassy will facilitate the opening up of markets in the European Markets for members of the CGBW led by Business France, the French Embassy, the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AMINA Investment Networks thus enabling access to markets in Africa and France.

Our sincere gratitude goes to President Macron, His Excellency Ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier, Mr Becue (Innovation Attache , French Embassy) Dr Yves Gueon (President of the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Amy Ashworth (GM, French South African Chamber of Commerce) for facilitating the powerful collaboration between the CGBW and Electricite de France which will expose South African women owned businesses and start-ups to global power strategies and related businesses thus enabling them to be competitive and  take a leading role in the local energy sector.

“We look forward to working with working with Embassy of France in South Africa, Business France and AMINA Investment Networks to take CGBW Entrepreneurs to the next level during and post COVID-19 on a global stage. “Says Sindiswa Mzamo, President, Circle of Global Business Women.

Our announcement today follows on the recent Generation Equality Forum Paris where bold gender equality commitments and a global 5-year action journey to accelerate gender equality by 2026 was announced. The Forum’s bold, action-oriented agenda will be under-written by nearly USD 40 Billion of confirmed investments as well as ambitious policy and programme commitments from governments, philanthropy, civil society, youth organizations and the private sector led by President Macron, his cabinet, France and the government of Mexico in partnership with UN Women.

The Circle of Global Business Women looks forward to our new two (2) year journey that will facilitate investment in South Africa and Africa through the partnership between the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Business France and the Women Entrepreneurs affiliated to the CGBW.

His Excellency Aurélien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France in South Africa states “The empowerment of women is not only a developmental issue. It is very much an economic issue. Countries, organisations and institutions that recognise the changes that are happening globally and are taking steps to ensure that they are participating in this emerging market, will more fully reap the economic benefit of their investment.”

Our sincere gratitude goes to President Macron, President Ramaphosa, Her Excellency the Executive Director of UN Women Dr Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, His Excellency Ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier, Mr. Becue (Women’s Leadership Champion at the French Embassy for partnering with reaching the Circle of Global Business Women and all the Entrepreneurial Networks in Africa that are part of this Initiative.

The Circle of Global Business Women helping women achieve their ambitions, working to create an equal world, for more information www.cgbw.co.za 

About CGBW

Circle of Global Business Women is a global network of intelligent and innovative Women who are authentic in their endeavours to create a leadership shift globally. Circle of Global Business Women supports the rise of Women leaders globally and urges them to shatter the glass ceiling in various fields. Circle of Global Business Women embodies a female wave of change and a power circle of Women leading that change.

Circle of Global Business Women is a unique organisation that was established by African Women and Women dedicated to Africa and aims to elevate African women to global forums and markets. Circle of Global Business Women is registered as a non-profit organisation in South Africa (registration no. 2020/025896/08).

Vision - To be the leading Global Women Organisation in empowerment, leadership and innovation.

Mission - To connect Women worldwide, leverage on resources and create a global community of empowered Women.