Empowering women entrepreneurs: successful launch of the South-South online series. On 19 February 2025, COLEAD and UN Women launched their initiative dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP)

On 19 February 2025, COLEAD and UN Women launched the first session of the South-South Online Series, an initiative dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs in Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific (ACP) and beyond. Designed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, skills development and market access, the series provides a dynamic platform for business leaders to connect and progress. This series is created and organised as part of the Fit For Market Plus programme.

A promising start: strong participation and significant impact

The first session, entitled ‘Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Strategies for building confidence, leadership and overcoming gender bias’, was a real success. Opened by Jeremy Knops, General Delegate of COLEAD, and Gayle Gollop, Private Sector Specialist at UN Women MCO (UN Women Multi-Country Office), the session welcomed four women entrepreneurs from Africa and the Caribbean. They shared their experiences, discussed the challenges of gender bias and highlighted strategies to overcome it while developing their leadership skills.

The session attracted a great deal of interest, confirming the relevance of the topic:

• 776 people registered to access the resources and the recording of the session.
• 297 people watched the session live, a high participation rate of 38%.
• 671 people subscribed to the COLEAD newsletter, widening the scope for future initiatives.

Women entrepreneurs profiled

The event highlighted four remarkable women who are making a significant contribution to the agri-food sector:

• Christina Pooler (Barbados) – A proponent of regenerative and climate-resilient agriculture, she combines technology and environmental management to innovate in the agricultural sector.
• Lana Athanaze (Dominica) – Founder of Éclat Nova Luxuries, she creates botanical and eco-responsible skincare products while supporting local communities.
• Patricia Zoundi Yao (Ivory Coast) – Social entrepreneur who promotes the financial and agricultural inclusion of rural women by giving them access to training and resources.
• Fannie Perisha Gondwe (Malawi) – an activist for biofortified foods and women’s empowerment, she supports women farmers in sustainable and entrepreneurial agriculture.

Key points discussed

The role of women in the agri-food sector: Despite representing 42% of the world’s agricultural workforce, women entrepreneurs face gender barriers that limit their access to resources, leadership positions and entrepreneurial opportunities. Bridging these gaps is essential for economic growth, food security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Leadership, a pillar of entrepreneurship: Developing leadership skills is essential to effectively manage a team and resources and ensure the growth of a business. Trust and resilience are key assets.

Breaking down barriers and building confidence: confidence is not only based on self-esteem, but also on the ability to challenge prejudices, seek mentorship and create support networks. Systemic change through legal reforms, organisational policies and alliances with men is fundamental to achieving gender equality.

The power of mentorship: access to a male or female mentor provides valuable advice, industry insight and networking opportunities that support the success of women entrepreneurs.

Ongoing learning and skills development: ongoing training in agri-food and entrepreneurship enables women to remain competitive and innovate.

Networking and collaboration: surrounding oneself with other entrepreneurs helps build confidence, facilitates business partnerships and provides access to new markets.

Intergenerational and inclusive approaches: involving young women and men ensures their commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Inspiring testimonies from women entrepreneurs

The speakers shared powerful messages of confidence, leadership and perseverance:

“Women must occupy space to avoid being subjected to others’ decisions. Change won’t happen on its own, we must drive the change we wish to see. We have to provoke it, dare to claim our place”.- Patricia Zoundi Yao, founder of Canaan Land in Côte d’Ivoire.

“We never have all the answers. But the important thing is to not put yourself in a state of stagnation. Seek validation, seek support, seek mentorship, and educate yourself.” – Lana Athanaze, founder of Éclat Nova Luxuries in Dominica.

“Mastering our numbers is essential—whatever we choose to invest in, we must stay in control of our financials.” – Fannie Perisha Gondwe, Founder of Perisha Agro and Packaging Enterprise, Malawi.

“Our diverse perspectives and intuition as women often offer significant advantages. This allows for more inclusive decision-making and progress in the sector.” – Christina Pooler, owner of Zantarea Farms, Barbados.

The outlook

The success of this first session sets the series on a promising and inspiring path for all communities in the networks represented by COLEAD and UN Women. Together, we will continue our efforts to create spaces for sharing, learning and growth, and to ensure that women entrepreneurs have the visibility, resources and support they need to thrive.

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Stay tuned for the next sessions of the online South-South series as we continue to drive meaningful change and promote women’s leadership in the agri-food sector.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.