The PanHerfrican Initiative has unveiled the Hercellers Africa Impact Investment Mobilization Program, a $50 billion venture aimed at empowering 10 million female entrepreneurs across the African continent. This initiative is considered a significant stride towards advancing gender equality and economic empowerment in Africa, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Cynthia Aigbosesi Ogbiti, the Country Director and an expert in Gender Equality Mainstreaming, underscored that the Hercellers program is specifically designed to facilitate the successful implementation of AfCFTA by 2030. She emphasized that this initiative represents a pivotal step in promoting gender equality and expanding economic opportunities for women throughout Africa.
Wilkinson, another representative of the PanHerfrican Initiative, described the platform as a dynamic hub for multi-sector Gender Action Impact Solutions. The initiative is focused on advancing regional transformation through the active participation of women in economic activities, enterprise development, and real-time empowerment. The launch of the HERCELLER8 program is anticipated to ignite a robust network of women-driven initiatives, fostering inclusivity and sustainability across the continent.
The Hercellers program is strategically aligned with AfCFTA’s broader objectives, which aim to establish a unified market for goods and services across 54 African nations. By empowering female entrepreneurs, the program seeks to position women at the forefront of economic activities, thereby accelerating regional economic integration and promoting sustainable business practices.
The PanHerfrican Initiative acknowledges the vital role of gender equality in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is dedicated to using this investment to close the gender gap in Africa. The HERCELLER8 program aims to empower women leaders from various backgrounds, promoting inclusion and geo-economic integration. This approach is in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to drive people-centric development and sustainable growth.
As part of its strategy, the PanHerfrican Initiative plans to connect, communicate, and collaborate with impact-driven women leaders across Africa. The initiative aspires to inspire these leaders to contribute to the vision of “Creating the Africa We Want” by launching intergenerational policy impact programs and establishing grassroots gender-based engagement hubs. These hubs will act as catalysts for community-driven action, enabling women to play a critical role in the economic transformation of their communities and the continent as a whole.
As Africa moves towards deeper economic integration under AfCFTA, the PanHerfrican Initiative’s Hercellers program marks a bold advance in ensuring that women are not only participants but also leaders in this transformative process. By investing in female entrepreneurs, the initiative aims to unlock the full potential of Africa’s women, driving economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development for generations to come.
