Why Changeover Matters

  • Women in Africa are the most entrepreneurial in the world—yet face the largest barriers.

    Africa has the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs globally, with women making up 58% of the continent’s self-employed population.
    However, women entrepreneurs are more likely to run smaller, informal businesses with limited access to resources and support.
    -McKinsey & Company, 2019 – "The Power of Parity in Africa"

  • 70% of women-owned businesses fail within five years due to lack of funding, training, and structure.

    Women entrepreneurs in both Africa and the diaspora often lack business formalization, mentorship, and access to credit—critical elements for long-term success.
    -International Labour Organization (ILO), World Bank Enterprise Surveys, and various national business registries

  • Only 2% of global venture capital goes to women—less than 0.5% to women in Africa.

    Globally, just 2.3% of VC funding goes to women-led startups, and less than 0.5% of VC and private equity in Africa is directed toward women entrepreneurs.
    -Harvard Business Review, African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA), PitchBook 2023

  • Women reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families and communities.

    Compared to men (30–40%), women are more likely to reinvest earnings into education, health care, and local economies, multiplying the impact of every dollar they earn.
    -United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank

  • Mentorship increases the likelihood of entrepreneurial success by 70%.

    Entrepreneurs with access to quality mentorship are significantly more likely to survive the critical first 3 years, grow their businesses, and create employment for others.
    -Forbes, TechCrunch, Kauffman Foundation

  • Closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship could have added $316 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025.

    Investing in women entrepreneurs is not just moral—it’s economically strategic. If women had equal access to finance and support, Africa’s economies could see a 13% GDP boost.
    -McKinsey Global Institute – "The Power of Parity" (2015)