Entrepreneurship for Women Empowerment: A Counter-Narrative of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Bridget Irene (), Siona Ndeh () and Chinyere Ibeji ()
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Bridget Irene: De Montfort University
Siona Ndeh: London Graduate School
Chinyere Ibeji: De Montfort University

Chapter Chapter 7 in The Palgrave Handbook of Decolonising Entrepreneurship, 2025, pp 147-179 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Entrepreneurship has long been heralded as a path to empowerment for women, particularly in regions where traditional gender roles and economic barriers limit opportunities. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the narrative often focuses on the struggles and limitations women face. However, there is a powerful counter-narrative that highlights resilience, innovation, and the transformative impact of female entrepreneurship. This study presents a counter-narrative of female entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), challenging traditional narratives that emphasize barriers and vulnerabilities. It highlights the resilience, innovation, and significant economic contributions of women entrepreneurs in the region. The counter-narrative showcases how women leverage limited resources to build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and drive sector diversification, often in non-traditional fields such as technology and agribusiness. It also examines the role of entrepreneurship in transforming social and cultural norms, fostering gender equality, and providing women with agency and economic independence. Through case studies, the study underscores the importance of inclusive policies, gender-sensitive support systems, and the recognition of women's achievements to further amplify their impact on sustainable development in SSA. Building on empowerment theory which enhances our understanding of how entrepreneurship can provide women with economic independence, decision-making power, and the ability to challenge and change societal norms; institutional theory which focuses on the regulatory environment, cultural norms, and institutional support structures in SSA impact women’s entrepreneurship juxtaposed with intersectionality theory, this research provides a multi-dimensional lens to analyse and understand the counter-narrative of women’s entrepreneurship in SSA. This study adopts a qualitative approach given the exploratory nature and the need to understand complex social phenomena under investigation.

Keywords: Empowerment; Traditional narrative; Entrepreneurship; Counter-narrative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-92310-4_7

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-92310-4_7

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