Key Highlights:
- Mastercard and Women Choice are joining forces to introduce two new programs, ImpactHer and EmpowerHer, aimed at fostering the growth of female entrepreneurs across Africa.
- These programs build on Women Choice’s previous initiatives and Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to providing women with access to digital tools, training, mentorship, and networking platforms to help them succeed in business.
- Through this partnership, Mastercard and Women Choice aim to provide comprehensive support, including training and mentorship, to empower women entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities, ultimately contributing to economic growth in the region.
Mastercard and Women Choice have joined forces to introduce two new initiatives – ImpactHer and EmpowerHer – aimed at fostering the growth of women entrepreneurs and job creation across the Middle East and Africa.
Women Choice, an international organization dedicated to advancing women’s personal and professional development, initiated the pilot cohort in 2023. The upcoming cohorts, slated for this year, will participate in these newly launched programs, with a goal of positively impacting 50,000 women.
Mastercard has long been dedicated to empowering women by providing them with access to digital tools, training opportunities for business establishment and expansion, and fostering mentorship and networking platforms. Additionally, the company collaborates with employers to facilitate the creation of more job opportunities for women.
The partnership with Women Choice marks a significant step forward in reaffirming their shared commitment to empowering female-led businesses. Together, they aim to provide 1 million employment opportunities for women by 2030, thereby enhancing resources and growth prospects.
The newly introduced programs will offer extensive support through training and mentorship for women entrepreneurs, facilitating the creation of employment opportunities for other women within their respective fields.
Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Mastercard, emphasized the company’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and equity. She stated, “At Mastercard, we are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable world, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our expanded partnership with Women Choice will not only have a significant impact on women in the workplace across the region, but also provide women entrepreneurs with the right skills, resources and tools to succeed and drive economic growth in the region.”
“We are proud to see the successful results of the program launched in 2023 in collaboration with Mastercard and are excited to see the partnership continuing to grow through 2024. We are now focusing on scaling the impact. Bringing change and improving the situation of women in the workplace and providing support to women-led businesses is a key element to help economies in the Middle East and Africa region grow and further thrive,” said Nezha Alaoui, Founder & CEO of Women Choice.
Globally, the Women Choice network comprises 15,000 women who have participated in over 100 accelerator programs and conferences in recent years, underlining the organization’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and professional development.