USAID Promotes Women and Entrepreneurship

On April 10, 2014, over 120 experts in entrepreneurship participated in a U.S. government-sponsored conference focused on increasing the number of women entrepreneurs in Egypt.

“Entrepreneurship plays a significant role in driving economic growth and job creation,” said Dr. Mary C. Ott, USAID Mission Director in Egypt.  “USAID is working to build the entrepreneurial capacity of women to develop businesses that will generate income for their families and to drive economic growth in Egypt.”

The two-day event is designed to encourage and promote Egyptian women’s participation in entrepreneurial activities.  An action plan for increasing women’s participation in entrepreneurship in Egypt will be developed, proposed, and advanced. The event also includes informative, collaborative sessions where local entrepreneurship leaders and ecosystem stakeholders share lessons learned and help map a path forward that addresses the needs of female entrepreneurs.

The U.S. Government, through USAID, supports Egypt’s economic growth by supporting entrepreneurs and employment creation.  To date, USAID has helped launch 63 start-up companies in Egypt – 18 of which are owned by women – and helped provide new or better full-time employment for over 40,000 people and short-term jobs for another 20,000 workers.