Why female led startups stall in Sub-Saharan Africa

Why female led startups stall in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author: BBC World Service May 7, 2026 Duration: 17:28

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world, according to the World Bank, and most founders there are women. Why, then, do so many of those startups fail to grow? We look at why many female entrepreneurs struggle to access investment and ask three business leaders what might change that.

If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Ahmed Adan

(Picture: Worker and partner with data analytics, charts and graphs paperwork. Credit: Getty Images)


Behind the headlines and market numbers, there’s a human story. Business Daily from the BBC World Service digs into those stories, exploring how the forces of money and work shape lives and communities across the globe. This isn't just a recap of financial news; it’s about the tangible impact of economic decisions, from a factory floor in Vietnam to a tech startup in Nairobi. Each episode focuses on a single, compelling narrative, offering a clear and thorough examination of how business and economics function in the real world. You’ll hear directly from the people involved-entrepreneurs facing unexpected hurdles, workers adapting to new industries, and analysts deciphering local trends with global consequences. The reporting is grounded and precise, reflecting the BBC’s commitment to depth and clarity. By focusing on the daily drama inherent in our economic systems, this podcast makes the vast subject of business feel immediate and personal. Tune in for a thoughtful perspective that connects economic concepts to everyday reality, providing a deeper understanding of the world through the lens of commerce and labor.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Daily
Podcast Episodes
Getting goods to the ends of the Earth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
In one of the most remote and unforgiving regions on the planet, the final stretch of any delivery becomes a test of endurance, ingenuity, and sheer determination.In this episode, Jane Chambers travels deep into Chilean…
L.O.L. Surprise creator Isaac Larian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Isaac Larian left Iran as a 17 year-old with $750 and went on to build a successful career in the US toy industry. Today, at 72, he’s the founder and chief executive of MGA Entertainment, one of the largest privately own…
How wrestling became big business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Professional wrestling has grown into a global entertainment industry worth billions of dollars, driven by sponsorships, new broadcasting deals, and a growing online audience.We step inside the ring, exploring how wrestl…
Reinventing Kodak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:27
Kodak was written off as a casualty of the digital age. Now, it's betting on film again.We hear from the chief executive, Jim Continenza, on rebuilding manufacturing, reviving analogue, and turning an industrial icon bac…
Iran’s economy: Counting the cost of war [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:27
Iran’s economy is under strain from war, long-standing sanctions and a nationwide internet shutdown. We hear from people inside the country, and ask how much damage has been done, and how recovery could begin.If you'd li…
The Dutch village at risk from an energy project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:35
Today - a Dutch fishing village that could be wiped off the map to make room for a mega‑energy hub. We visit Moerdijk, to meet families, eel‑smokers and shopkeepers. What does their fight tell us about the quiet dilemmas…
Bonus: Introducing Inheritance: Samsung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
When the Samsung Chairman has a heart attack, his heir is pushed into the spotlight. The complex manoeuvring to secure his succession re-opens old family wounds, prompts one of the biggest scandals in South Korea’s histo…
The tech boss who 'x-rays' businesses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:27
We meet Alexander Rinke, the co-CEO and co-founder of Celonis, a billion-dollar company that started life as a university project between three friends.We learn how the Munich-based company raised capital like a Silicon…
Food prices after Hormuz: What changes now? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Conflict in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through the global food system. Even with signs of a ceasefire, the impact may not be over.Disruption to fertiliser supplies, combined with rising energy and shipping costs…
Anthropic: the $300bn AI firm at war with the White House [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Anthropic’s rise from startup to one of the world’s leading players in artificial intelligence has been staggering, but so in recent weeks has been its row with the US Government.Today, we look at that journey to becomin…