Addressing the Challenges Surrounding Women-Led Innovations and Entrepreneurial Establishments in CleanTech

Despite their significant role, however, women in tech face formidable challenges. The interrelated impacts of sector-specific challenges and structural gender inequality on women cleantech entrepreneurs and innovators continue to hinder the success of these women entrepreneurs. In 2019, only 20% of global start-ups were led by women, and according to IRENA, women represented only 32% of the renewable energy workforce. These challenges could be social, cultural, political, or financial. One of the main challenges is in accessing the necessary funding to scale their ventures. According to the latest data on Africa’s startup landscape, out of the 200+ startups that secured at least a $1 million funding round in 2023, only 6% were led by either a solo female founder or an all-female founding team. Addressing the funding gap necessitates a multifaceted approach, encompassing systemic reforms and cultural shifts within the investment landscape. Factors limiting women’s entrepreneurship are manifold and intertwined. Other barriers that women energy entrepreneurs face can range from discriminatory laws, regulations and social norms that prevent them from starting and consolidating businesses; barriers to education, training and information that translate into weaker business skills and low confidence. These various challenges call for immediate actions, including discussions on how to close the gender disparity gap in cleantech. As the continent’s entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial to dismantle barriers, challenge biases, and foster a culture of inclusivity within the investment ecosystem. By embracing diverse perspectives, investing in women’s capacity building, and championing initiatives such as Gender Lens Investing, we can unlock the full potential of women in tech, driving innovation, prosperity, and sustainable development across Africa. Learning from the experiences of women entrepreneurs and innovators is one of the best ways, not only to address these challenges, but also to encourage other upcoming women innovators and entrepreneurs in cleantech. The two hours sessions including presentations, followed by questions and answer sessions would seek to give a comprehensive discussion of the challenges faced by women in cleantech, propose various sustainable solutions of how to tackle these challenges and further emphasize on the roles of different stakeholders including governments, educational institutions, private companies, funding institutions to name a few. Furthermore, this session would act as an initial platform for long-term connection amongst women and other male entrepreneurs.