The World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum places women at the heart of economic transformation

That was the central message of the Manama Declaration, issued at the end of 2012The World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) held this week in Bahrain.

The declaration places women at the heart of economic transformation and underlines this Empowering them within business and innovation ecosystems is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.

It also asks for strengthening the presence of women in emerging sectors, including the green, blue and orange economies that promote environmental responsibility, sustainable use of ocean resources and creativity respectively.

Organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain, the forum convened leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world to shape a more resilient global economy and unlock new opportunities for women-led businesses.

“A great opportunity”

For many participants, the forum has produced tangible results.

Doris Martin, CEO of DMartin Consultancy in Bahrain, was there looking for meaningful collaboration and found it.

Through business-to-business (B2B) meetings facilitated at the event, she established partnerships with companies in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

“This forum has been effective for me,” she said UN news. “I have had B2B collaboration with regional companies through Bahrain and through UNIDO.”

Tosin Arwejulo, CEO of Leadership Excel Consultancy and a Nigerian-American entrepreneur based in Bahrain, described the forum as a “powerful networking platform.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to people from literally every continent,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders.”

Shared challenges, shared solutions

The forum’s impact extended beyond the Arab region.

Ayanthi Gurusinghe, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and representative of the South Asian Women Development Forum, attended along with delegates from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

She said participants shared valuable lessons, especially around access to finance, a challenge faced by women entrepreneurs in all regions.

“It was a good opportunity to network, come together, share views, learn and exchange experiences,” she said, expressing her appreciation to UNIDO for creating a space where global connections could flourish.

Special attention to artists with disabilities

In addition to panel discussions and networking sessions, the forum was also in the spotlight including entrepreneurship through three exhibitions, including ‘Determined Creative Entrepreneur’.

Among the exhibitors was Nisreen Samour from the Micro Art Center in Bahrain, specialized in training and developing artistic talent, with a special focus on artists with disabilities.

“Today, approximately nine students are participating, each specializing in an artistic field that matches their interests and abilities,” she said.

“I personally train them, and we are currently working to develop their skills and enable them to produce professional works of art that will help them effectively enter the art market and the labor market, thus contributing to increased productivity and the overall performance of the centre,” she said. UN news.

The center also works with orphans, helping them develop artistic skills and present their work publicly, promoting independence and self-reliance through creativity.

The role of academia

It was a recurring theme the role of higher education in preparing young women for the world of entrepreneurship.

In an interview with UN newsDr. Nihal Al-Najjar, professor at the Royal University for Women in Bahrain, emphasized the need to deeply embed entrepreneurship in academic systems.

“Our academic role is to integrate entrepreneurship not only as a subject, but also as a methodology,” she said, explaining that experiential learning and practical application are crucial. “We encourage students to think, innovate and identify gaps in society, then work to find solutions.”

She added that universities must go beyond classroom teaching by connecting students to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem and guiding them to mentorship, financing opportunities and professional networks when they are ready to start their own ventures.

A driving force for sustainable development

The World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) was preceded by the annual conference of the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) – a New York-based NGO that helps women-owned businesses grow.

During the conference, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller described women’s entrepreneurship as a driving force for sustainable development, global innovation and economic inclusion.

“We must ensure that women everywhere have a level playing field and the opportunity to unlock their full potential” he stated, highlighting persistent barriers to finance, technology and higher-skilled positions for women worldwide.

He reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment, adding: “Empowering women is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” The 17 SDGsadopted by governments in 2015, provide a blueprint for a fairer and more equitable future for all people and the planet.

Mr Müller commended Bahrain’s leadership in supporting entrepreneurship and women’s economic participation and outlined this UNIDO’s continued work in crisis-affected countriesnoting: “UNIDO has just started setting up recovery programs in Syria, Sudan and Palestine… the women there are particularly affected, and they need our supportT.”

Women as engines of business

In her opening speech, IWEC President Ibukun Awosika highlighted the transformative role of women as engines of business, leadership and national progress.

She emphasized that women make up half of the world’s productive assets and, if empowered, could become game changers in corporate and political leadership. Drawing from her own journey, Mrs. Awosika recalled that she built a manufacturing group over 36 years before becoming the first and only female chairman of the oldest financial institution south of the Sahara, First Bank of Nigeria.

“What women represent in the world is 50 percent of its assets – productive, constructive assets that can change the game when fully deployed,” she said.

“Any country that has enough wisdom to invest and realize the talent that 50 percent of its population possesses is a country that is poised to win..”

Success stories from Bahrain and Nigeria

According to its website, the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) has recognized 575 distinguished winners worldwide, honored annually at its conferences and nominated by partner organizations, representing women-owned businesses from around the world.

In Bahrain, IWEC recognized a new class of winners from the Middle East and Africa.

Among them was Sonia Mohamed Janahi, founder of Maya La Chocolaterie, who highlighted UNIDO’s role in promoting female entrepreneurship.

With the support of UNIDO, Janahi expanded its Bahraini chocolate brand into Africa, established a cocoa processing factory in Ivory Coast, created jobs, promoted ethical supply chains and brought global recognition to chocolate produced in Africa.

“UNIDO played a very crucial role in my progression. They took over my project and opened up opportunities for me,” she said UN newsunderscoring UNIDO’s commitment to recognizing women entrepreneurs in Bahrain, the Middle East and Africa.

“This event represents women worldwide and invests more than $6 billion that brings women together worldwide. It rewards women who not only started a business, but maintained and scaled a business and made an impact on the economy and on society.”

Also honored was Nigerian entrepreneur Oluwakelemi, who discussed her gift and lifestyle retail business, which employs women and supports household incomes across Nigeria and is preparing for international expansion.

“I am passionate about building scalable African businesses with global reach,” she said UN news. “No fewer than 5,000 people have benefited from our company and our work.”