Chairperson of the United Africa Blockchain Association, Yaliwe Malambo, has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to unlock new opportunities for women entrepreneurs through technology, innovation, and cross-border trade.
Speaking at the 6th Women in Trade and Investment Conference 2026 in Accra, Malambo said African women have moved beyond simply seeking inclusion and are now leading businesses, driving innovation, and contributing significantly to economic development across the continent.
“We are no longer asking to be included. We are already sitting at the table. Women are innovating, women are building,” she said.
The blockchain advocate, who said she has spent more than a decade promoting emerging technologies across Africa, noted that she was impressed by the quality of products exhibited at the conference, describing them as globally competitive and ready for export.
Rather than focusing solely on increasing production, she urged Africans to strengthen intra-African trade by intentionally supporting products and services made on the continent.
“If we continue to prefer products from overseas, what happens to the women who are investing, building businesses, and pursuing their dreams here in Africa?” she asked.
Malambo called for the expansion of the Women of Africa Network beyond Ghana into countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Cameroon, and Morocco to create stronger business linkages and facilitate trade among women entrepreneurs across the continent.
She observed that women have evolved from being viewed primarily as homemakers to becoming key contributors to national economies through entrepreneurship and leadership.
“When you invest in a woman, you are building families, communities, and the future of our economies,” she stressed.
Drawing on her background in technology, Malambo emphasized the need to leverage digital platforms to simplify cross-border trade, improve access to markets, and make business transactions easier for women entrepreneurs.
She said while social media has helped businesses gain visibility, more sophisticated digital solutions are needed to facilitate secure payments, cross-border transactions, and business growth across Africa.
According to her, access to information and digital education remains one of the biggest barriers facing entrepreneurs, and she pledged the support of the United Africa Blockchain Association through free technology training programmes designed to equip women and young people with the digital skills needed to compete in the modern economy.
She invited participants interested in emerging technologies and digital business solutions to join the association’s training initiatives, stressing that empowering African entrepreneurs with technological knowledge will strengthen trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and accelerate inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Story by : Ama Pomaa Kyekyeku
