ImpactHER, an impact-driven non-governmental organization that has impacted over 45,000 female SMEs across 53 African countries was crowned “Best Women SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Support Organization in Africa” at the just concluded African Union Forum in Egypt.
The event which took place at the Grand Nile Hotel, in Cairo themed “Economic Empowerment of SMEs, Women and Youth Entrepreneurs to Realize Africa’s Industrialization in the Context of the Integrated Market.”
The African Union Forum was organized to promote, upskill and strategize towards a better, more inclusive African SME sector to realize Africa’s Industrialization in the context of the integrated market and had in attendance various dignitaries such as H.E. Amb. Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner; Dr Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank; H.E. Ambassador (Prof) Chandan Kheswar Jankee – President All Africa Associations for SMEs; Dr. Amany Asfour, President of Egyptian Business Women Association (EBWA); Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD; Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC; H.E. Dr. Nevine Gamea, Egypt’s Minister of Trade & Industry and many other distinguished guests.
The awards ceremony recognized individuals, institutions, organizations, Government Agencies and SMEs that have distinct usefulness of their operational models, design, implementation and overall impact their policies on the development of SMEs in Africa.
Famous for creating interventions focused on increasing financial inclusion of female entrepreneurs in Africa, ImpactHER was honoured with the award for the ‘Best Women SME Support organization in Africa’ in recognition of its impact-driven initiatives that have assisted women business owners to achieve their economic potential across Africa.
Speaking on the award, the founder of ImpactHER, Efe Ukala, said “it’s been a privilege to serve African women and be challenged to design innovative solutions. It’s been an exciting journey so far and I look forward to being of continuous service to our beloved continent, Africa. It’s also been an incredible opportunity to work with a dynamic and talented team, from ImpactHER’s Director, Kenechi Ezekika; country representatives, Onie Bayode and Maame Mintah; and members of our Wise Council – H.E, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, and Patricia Obozuwa, to improve the economic narrative of women business owners in Africa.
We thank the African Union and All African Association for Small and Medium Enterprises for this recognition. We pledge to continuously serve as a pillar of support to women-led small and medium sized businesses in Africa and that no woman that reaches out to us shall ever walk alone.”
Other dignitaries honored at the awards ceremony include Dr Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank. Dr.Amany Asfour who was inducted into the Africa SME Hall of Fame, Dr. Tapiwa Uchizi Nyasulu and H.E. Ambassador (Prof) Chandan Kheswar Jankee were also given Appreciation Awards for their individual roles in supporting Women SMEs.
In 2020, as a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the ImpactHER team provided pro bono business support to African women that helped them navigate unexpected challenges like loss of revenue. As a result of this intervention, 12,356 women-led businesses across Africa were prevented from being permanently shutdown.
ImpactHER prides itself on the maintenance of global best practices and the championing of a cause that costs Africa $95bn dollars every year.
