A new study challenges the common portrayal of African women entrepreneurs as merely vulnerable to climate change, instead highlighting their vital role in driving sustainable adaptation. The research, conducted in Kenya and Senegal, discovered that women-led businesses are more likely to adopt forward-thinking strategies like income diversification and crop-switching—despite facing steeper barriers than men, such as limited access to finance, training, and technology. These women aren’t just coping—they’re innovating, even with fewer resources. The study also found that when adaptation support is available, women-led enterprises often outperform their male-led counterparts. The takeaway? Investing in women entrepreneurs isn’t just equitable—it’s a smart, scalable move for building climate-resilient economies across Africa.
The Conversation
