<p><strong>Jamil Ampomah, Director for Africa at Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), says a growing number of women in finance and accountancy across the continent are increasingly turning to entrepreneurship as a pathway to innovation, independence and economic impact.</strong></p>
<p>Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, Ampomah said the shift reflects how professional accounting skills are becoming a powerful launchpad for business ownership among women, particularly younger professionals.</p>
<p>“The drive towards entrepreneurship across the region is especially evident among younger finance professionals,” Ampomah said.</p>
<p>“They see accountancy as more than a technical discipline; it is a launchpad for innovation, independence, and impact.”</p>
<p>He added that while more progress is still needed to achieve gender parity, current trends suggest that the profession is increasingly helping to unlock entrepreneurial potential at scale.</p>
<p>Ampomah’s remarks come as ACCA released early findings from its forthcoming Global Talent Trends 2026 report, which indicates that women’s entrepreneurial ambitions are rising worldwide.</p>
<p>According to the survey of more than 11,000 finance professionals across 175 countries, about 84% of women working in finance and accountancy now aspire to become entrepreneurs, up from 77% in the previous year.</p>
<p>The findings suggest growing confidence among women in leveraging finance and accounting expertise to build their own enterprises.</p>
<p>Africa already leads globally in female entrepreneurship. Studies indicate that roughly one in four adult women on the continent runs a business, representing about 25–26% of women, the highest rate globally.</p>
<p>Across Sub-Saharan Africa, about 20% of working-age women are involved in entrepreneurial activity, while women account for roughly 58% of the self-employed population, a proportion higher than any other region in the world.</p>
<p>Despite these gains, women entrepreneurs still face major challenges in accessing finance. Women-owned small businesses are estimated to face a $1.7 trillion global credit gap, while nearly 700 million women worldwide remain underserved by the financial sector.</p>
<p>Chief Executive of ACCA, Helen Brand, said the rise in entrepreneurial ambition signals the growing economic empowerment of women through professional training.</p>
<p>“Entrepreneurship represents economic empowerment in action,” Brand said. “Finance and accountancy skills are equipping women not only to lead within organisations, but also to build enterprises of their own.”</p>
<p>She noted that accounting offers a strong foundation for business success because it combines financial expertise with governance, risk management, technology and strategic insight.</p>
<p>Brand stressed that supporting women to turn entrepreneurial ambition into viable businesses is essential not only for gender equality but also for broader economic growth.</p>
<p>The report further shows that more than half of finance professionals believe their accounting background provides a strong advantage for entrepreneurial careers.</p>
<p>Ambitions are particularly strong among Generation Z and Millennial professionals; many of whom say they aspire to launch their own businesses in the future.</p>
<p>The findings also reflect a broader transformation within the accountancy profession, with many professionals seeking careers aligned with purpose, social impact, environmental sustainability and greater personal autonomy.</p>
<p>This year’s observance of International Women’s Day is held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls.”</p>
<p>ACCA said empowering women entrepreneurs globally could significantly boost economic development through increased job creation, innovation and productivity.</p>
<p>Founded in 1904, ACCA is a global professional accountancy body supporting more than 257,900 members and 530,100 future members across 180 countries, providing qualifications and insights aimed at strengthening ethical and sustainable finance leadership worldwide.</p>
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<p><em>By Joseph Kobla Wemakor </em></p>
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