[Blog] GiveToGain: Promoting women's economic empowerment in Southern Africa

By Sosson Tadadjeu

As part of International Women's Day 2026, ECA SRO-SA joins UN Women in supporting the GiveToGain campaign which aligns with this year's global theme: Rights, Justice, Action, For ALL women and girls. This theme is of critical importance in Southern Africa as the region faces major challenges including climate shocks, food and energy vulnerabilities, and limited job opportunities, especially among women. Digital transformation, industrial modernization, and the development of regional value chains within the framework of the AfCFTA are key routes towards addressing these vulnerabilities and strengthening economic resilience, especially amongst the most vulnerable, women, people with disabilities and youth.

Although women's participation in the labor force in Southern Africa is relatively high compared to other regions on the continent, this involvement does not translate into quality jobs. In 2025, female participation in the labour force reached 77.1% in Mozambique and 72.2% in Angola and represented approximately 49-52% of the total workforce in many countries. However, the quality of employment points to structural vulnerability among women. In Mozambique, 91.3% of working women are self-employed, and 90.7% are in vulnerable employment. These figures highlight that although women are economically active, they are often relegated to informal, low-paying and thus vulnerable jobs. In addition, women face a digital divide that hinders their participation in technology sectors despite the enactment of legal protections and the introduction of gender equality policies. To transform this situation, it is essential to ensure that legal rights translate into secure and productive jobs thereby enabling true economic empowerment.

Disparities are also evident in the employment of women in the private sector. In 2024, only 10.4% of businesses in Angola were managed by women. Namibia and Eswatini perform better in terms of women participation, yet women remain under-represented at decision-making levels. In Eswatini, despite a 50.2% business ownership by women, there is low representation of women in leadership positions. The concentration of women in vulnerable jobs undermines efforts focused on industrialization and structural transformation where highly skilled labour is required. Promoting the inclusion of women in STEM fields, digital entrepreneurship, and green industries is essential to ensuring sustainable economic growth and development.

The GiveToGain principle is based on the idea that including women in the economy increases returns. By offering women access to digital infrastructure, enhancing their participation in industrial value chains, and providing targeted financing, Southern Africa can improve overall  productivity and economic resilience. The transition of women from vulnerable jobs to formal and productive sectors is a policy priority.

For rights and justice to translate into concrete results, it is imperative to reduce the number of women in vulnerable employment, increase their representation in businesses, and improve their access to formal property ownership. The region is at a turning point; digitalization and industrialization will shape the future and the full integration of women into emerging industries will ensure inclusive and sustainable transformation which leaves no one behind.

On this 8^th March 2026, through GiveToGain, we reaffirm that when women obtain secure and productive jobs, economies will stabilize. When women lead, competitiveness improves. It is time to act to ensure that justice translates into opportunities for all in the labor market in line with the aspirations of SDG 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of women.