2024年中低收入国家女性企业家调查报告（英）_80页_5mb

Summary: Empowered or Undermined? Women Entrepreneurs & the Digital Economy

Core Content

This report, based on an online survey of 2,870 women entrepreneurs from 96 Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), examines the role of the digital economy in empowering women entrepreneurs and the challenges they face in accessing digital and financial resources. It highlights the transformative potential of digital technologies, including social media, e-commerce, and AI, while also underscoring the persistent barriers that hinder their full participation in the digital sphere.

Main Viewpoints

• Digital and Financial Inclusion: Women entrepreneurs are increasingly adopting digital tools, but they still face significant challenges in accessing affordable internet, digital devices, and financial services. These barriers contribute to the gender digital divide and financial exclusion, limiting their ability to scale and grow businesses.

• Economic Impact of Digital Exclusion: The lack of digital access and inclusion has tangible economic consequences. LMICs have lost over $1 trillion in GDP due to the gender gap in internet use, emphasizing the need for inclusive digital infrastructure and policies.

• Digital Tools as Enablers: Social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook are widely used by women entrepreneurs for marketing, customer engagement, and business visibility. However, e-commerce adoption remains low due to transaction costs, trust issues, and onboarding complexities.

• Safety and Security Concerns: Women entrepreneurs report high levels of online harassment and safety concerns, which can lead to self-censorship and reduced online presence. These issues are compounded by the lack of awareness and legal protections against gender-based violence (GBV).

• Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Technology-facilitated GBV is a major concern, with many women avoiding public interactions and online engagement due to fear of harassment, discrimination, and violence. This affects their ability to compete and expand businesses.

• Entrepreneurial Resilience and Adaptation: Despite these challenges, many women entrepreneurs are resilient and adaptive, using digital tools to enhance business operations and financial management. However, the lack of digital literacy and financial inclusion remains a critical barrier.

Key Information

Digital Adoption and Business Success

• Top Successes in 2024:

  • 63% of women entrepreneurs reported improved business outcomes through digital tools, particularly social media marketing and digital payments.
  • 60% gained access to new business networks.
  • 59% reported increased sales and profitability.

• Key Challenges in 2024:

  • 78% identified lack of access to finance as a top challenge, citing high borrowing costs, collateral requirements, and limited financial literacy.
  • 48% expressed concerns about the difficult economic environment, including inflation, high costs, and political instability.
  • 27% struggled with customer acquisition and retention.
  • 18% faced challenges in business registration due to high costs and complex processes.

Digital and Financial Inclusion

• Smartphone Ownership and Internet Access:

  • 92% of women entrepreneurs own a personal smartphone, but 45% lack regular internet access due to affordability.
  • Women without smartphones are 5.5 times less likely to use social media for business and 3.5 times less likely to have a bank account or mobile money account.

• Safety and Security Concerns:

  • 16% of women report safety concerns as a key barrier to mobile internet access.
  • 62% of those with safety concerns have experienced online harassment.
  • 36% avoid using full names on business profiles.
  • 41% do not post photos, and 59% avoid posting videos of themselves due to safety concerns.

• AI and Digital Literacy:

  • 38% of women entrepreneurs use AI tools, consistent with previous survey findings.
  • Women with consistent internet access are 2.5 times more likely to use AI, indicating the importance of digital literacy and connectivity.

Business Registration and Financial Inclusion

• Registered Businesses and Financial Access:
  • Women with registered businesses are 14.5 times more likely to have a business bank account.
  • Many women remain in the informal sector due to bureaucratic hurdles and costs.

Social Media and E-commerce

• Social Media Usage:

  • 88% use WhatsApp, and 74% use Facebook for business.
  • 31% use e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, or Jumia.

• E-commerce Barriers:

  • High transaction costs, lack of trust in online payments, and complex onboarding processes deter many women from fully adopting e-commerce.

Gender-Based Violence in Digital and Physical Spaces

• Online Harassment:

  • 57% of women entrepreneurs reported experiencing at least one form of online harassment.
  • 23% faced verbal abuse, and 22% received unsolicited explicit images or messages.
  • 21% reported concerns about harassment from male customers during business interactions.

• Safety Measures:

  • 77% of women entrepreneurs take proactive safety measures, such as screening customers or relying on male relatives for protection.

Key Recommendations

• Governments and Multilateral Organizations:

  • Expand affordable internet and device financing programs.
  • Streamline business registration processes.
  • Introduce stronger legal protections against GBV and improve awareness and reporting mechanisms.

• Private Sector and Technology Companies:

  • Enhance mobile money and digital payment options.
  • Develop robust safety measures, including human moderation and AI tools.
  • Simplify e-commerce registration and reduce transaction costs.

• NGOs and Capacity-Building Initiatives:

  • Expand woman-centred digital literacy, online safety, and AI training programs.
  • Raise awareness of legal protections and strengthen reporting mechanisms.
  • Support business mentorship and networking programs to connect women with peers, investors, and leaders.

Conclusion

Women entrepreneurs in LMICs are leveraging digital tools to grow their businesses, yet structural and gender-based barriers continue to limit their full participation in the digital economy. Addressing these challenges through coordinated efforts by governments, private sector, and NGOs is essential to unlock the economic potential of women entrepreneurs and create a more inclusive and secure business environment.