NAIROBI, Kenya- A Kenyan is among six women entrepreneurs who will serve as the 2024-2025 cohort of advocates for the eTrade for Women initiative, the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has announced.
Hilda Moraa, the Chief Executive Officer of Pezesha, a leading digital ecosystem, will be the new advocate for English-speaking Africa.
She has been hailed as a visionary leader who builds innovative financial solutions to empower women entrepreneurs across Africa.
Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan announced the appointment in Geneva, highlighting the critical role of women digital entrepreneurs in driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth.
Hailing from developing Africa, Asia and Latin America, these female entrepreneurs are pioneers in tech and champions of women’s empowerment through e-commerce and the digital economy.
Other than Moraa, others are Vèna Arielle Ahouansou of Benin, Angeline Tham of the Philippines, and Ajaita Shah of India.
They will work alongside two existing advocates, Yasmine Abdel Karim of Egypt, and Ana Maria Sandoval of Colombia – both continuing in their role for another year.
“eTrade for Women” is a key initiative under the e-commerce and digital economy programme of UN Trade and Development.
Leading funding contributors to the programme are Australia, Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
-Unlocking women’s potential in the digital economy-
As a key plank of their mandate, the advocates will help tackle the persisting gender gap in the digital economy, which hinders sustainable and inclusive development.
“The advocates can help call attention to the persistent challenges women face to access finance, technology, and markets,” said Shamika N. Sirimanne, director of technology and logistics at UN Trade and Development.
“Their insights and leadership will be instrumental in shaping policies that promote gender equality in the digital age.”
Women’s leadership in the digital economy is also high on the agenda of the 7th meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy, taking place in Geneva on 6-8 May, with diplomats, businesses and civil society representatives in attendance.
At the meeting, Ana Maria Sandoval, advocate for Latin America and the Caribbean, urged efforts to enable women in developing countries to better contribute to, and benefit from, the booming digital economy.
Sandoval spoke at a panel discussion on building digital capabilities and readiness, alongside Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul, and Mauritania’s Minister of Digital Transition, Innovation and Modernization Mohamed Abdallahi Louly.
