The Minister of State of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, has reaffirmed that women entrepreneurs are key to building a sustainable and inclusive future for the territory.
She disclosed that the FCT Administration is aligning its development agenda with global sustainability goals by promoting green enterprises and supporting initiatives focused on climate resilience, circular economy practices, and environmentally responsible production.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the FCT Minister of State, Austine Elemue.
Mahmoud made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference for Women Entrepreneurs, organised by ImpactHER, and held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme: “Rethink, Reinvent, Regenerate,” she described it as a timely call for African women entrepreneurs to challenge outdated models, embrace innovation, and contribute to building resilient and environmentally sustainable economies.
The minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for women-led businesses to thrive, noting that such efforts are critical to driving inclusive economic growth.
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She highlighted the growing impact of women across sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, fashion, and fintech, while acknowledging persistent challenges including limited access to finance, markets, technology, and policy support.
Mahmoud stressed the importance of platforms like the conference in enhancing visibility, fostering collaboration, and shaping policies that unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs across Africa.
She added that the FCT Administration is implementing reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, strengthening capacity-building programmes, and simplifying business processes to reduce regulatory bottlenecks.
“The future we seek—prosperous, equitable, and sustainable—cannot be achieved without the active leadership of women.
“Women entrepreneurs are not just participants in the economy; they are architects of a new development paradigm,” she said.
She also commended ImpactHER for its role in empowering women entrepreneurs across Africa.
Earlier, Founder of ImpactHER, Efe Ukala, called for stronger global alignment with the realities and innovations being driven by African women.
Ukala noted that while the global green economy is valued at over $5 trillion and continues to expand, African women remain largely excluded from premium markets due to barriers such as lack of certifications, regulatory compliance challenges, and limited access to international standards.
She explained that the conference aims to bridge these gaps by equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and knowledge required to access formal markets and scale their businesses globally.
Ukala further disclosed that ImpactHER has supported over 250,000 women across Africa and the Caribbean, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment.
