On a Saturday in Durban, South Africa, hundreds of women entrepreneurs stepped into a trade fair with something more powerful than just their products: a real chance to be seen by buyers, investors, and government officials. The event, called the EmpowerHer Market Trade Fair, was launched by Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga to mark the start of 2026 Women's Month — and to tackle a problem that keeps many women-owned businesses stuck in place.
Minister Chikunga, who leads the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, explained that women entrepreneurs face big structural barriers. They often struggle to access markets where they can sell their goods, get financing to grow, or link into supply chains dominated by large companies. "Many women entrepreneurs operate in informal or small-scale markets, and struggle to transition into sustainable, commercially viable enterprises," she said.
The trade fair aimed to change that by creating direct connections. Women business owners could attend pitch sessions to present their ideas, meet with finance experts, talk to procurement officers, and sit down with actual buyers. The initiative was a partnership between the South African government and ABSA, one of the country's largest banks.
Chikunga was direct about what she wanted to see happen. "We aim to move beyond showcasing products, towards actual commercial transactions, investment, procurement opportunities, business partnerships, and long-term market linkages." In other words, this was not meant to be just a colorful event with booths — it was meant to produce real deals and lasting business relationships.
The Minister also highlighted something that often gets lost in big policy speeches: women-owned businesses are frequently included in government plans on paper but invisible in actual markets. "They are invited to events but not linked to buyers. They are encouraged to formalise but not supported through the compliance burden. They are told to access finance but not assisted to meet financing criteria." Her message was clear: that pattern must end.
The event also made space for young women and people living with disabilities. Chikunga pointed out that building an economy that works for everyone means recognizing the different obstacles different groups face — and then actually doing something about them.
The timing matters. When women-owned businesses grow, they lift households, communities, and local economies along with them. The hope is that events like this one can move women from being featured in policy documents to being active players in South Africa's economic future.