ReThinking Africa Initiative Advocates Investment in Africa’s Tourism Industry
Frankfurt, January 15th, 2024 – Across Africa, innovative female entrepreneurs are rising to the challenge, harnessing the continent’s female potential to create positive change. In particular, the tourism sector is making significant strides in rural areas, where tech start-ups and social enterprises are driving job creation and opening new opportunities for local communities.
„Women play a vital role in the development and cohesion of rural African communities,“ says Hanna Kleber of Voice4Africa, a founding member of the ReThinking Africa business initiative. „This is where many female-led start-ups are making a real impact, and these ventures need the support of investment to thrive.“
According to World Bank studies, women account for 58 percent of Africa’s self-employed population and contribute around 13 percent of the continent’s GDP. The African Development Bank (AfDB) emphasizes the importance of female-led start-ups, which are key drivers of economic development and contribute to financial inclusion through job creation.
How an Innovative App Connects Kenyan Artisans with the Tourism Industry
One such innovative initiative is The Shaba, a social entrepreneurial tech start-up based in Kenya. The platform connects rural artisans, who produce handmade bags and sustainable souvenirs, directly to buyers, including hotels, lodges, and souvenir shops. By eliminating middlemen, the app streamlines the supply chain, creating greater efficiency and empowering rural communities.
Founded in 2019 by Gloria Kisilu, the app was developed to bridge the digital divide and offer women artisans in rural Kenya direct access to markets. „I wanted to use this tailor-made app to help women artisans gain visibility and connect with new opportunities, because my grandmother used to weave sisal baskets,“ says Kisilu, who was recently recognized with the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Award for her pioneering work.
Empowering Women in Uganda through Community-Based Ecotourism
In Uganda, Hilda Namara, founder of the Ubuntu Women Tourism Foundation, is offering women in rural areas the chance to thrive through community-based ecotourism. The foundation provides tourism experiences that promote cultural exchange and economic opportunities in Uganda’s more remote regions.
„Solidarity and responsible, fair ecotourism are at the heart of everything we do,“ says Namara. „Through our work, we support development projects in areas that would otherwise miss out on the benefits of tourism.“
The foundation’s initiatives include entrepreneurial training, village bank programs that help women set up their own businesses, and sponsorships for disadvantaged children to attend school. In this way, tourism directly enhances the livelihoods of those in less-explored areas.
These examples highlight the power of female-led businesses in tourism and their transformative potential for rural communities across Africa. Investing in such initiatives is key to fostering sustainable development and creating economic growth that benefits everyone.
Hilda Namara and her Ubuntu Women Tourism Foundation in Uganda / Cultural Encounters
About Voice4Africa
VOICE4AFRICA is an initiative of the KLEBER GROUP, a full-service PR agency with a special focus on tourism and many years of expertise in Africa. Together with African tour operators, the initiative promotes responsible tourism to Africa as a means of international understanding and a driver for sustainable development. Voice4Africa is the winner of the Corps Touristique Award for International Understanding 2023.
Press contact:
Hanna Kleber and Julia Kleber | Management
Friederike Galuschky | Senior Consultant Communications
Hamburger Allee 45
60486 Frankfurt am Main
Phone: +49 (69) 71 91 36 0
E-mail: hanna.kleber@klebergroup.com and julia.kleber@klebergroup.com / friederike.galuschky@klebergroup.com
Header Photo: Gloria Kisilu, founder of The Shaba, with women artisans in Kenya (c) The Shaba
