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WTO Launches $50Mln Fund for Female Entrepreneurs in Developing World

Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala launched on Sunday a $50 million fund to help female entrepreneurs in developing countries. (UNCTAD website)
Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala launched on Sunday a $50 million fund to help female entrepreneurs in developing countries. (UNCTAD website)
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WTO Launches $50Mln Fund for Female Entrepreneurs in Developing World

Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala launched on Sunday a $50 million fund to help female entrepreneurs in developing countries. (UNCTAD website)
Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala launched on Sunday a $50 million fund to help female entrepreneurs in developing countries. (UNCTAD website)

Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala launched on Sunday a $50 million fund to help female entrepreneurs in developing countries to export more using the opportunities offered by the digital economy.

The announcement came ahead of the 13th ministerial conference of the WTO which opens on February 29 in the United Arab Emirates.

Okonjo-Iweala said the “ground-breaking initiative... embodies our collective commitment to empower women.

“We need catalytic solutions to solve the financing issue that women face,” she added.

The fund will help businesses run by women in developing countries to adopt digital technologies and increase their online presence.

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said his country would contribute $5 million to the fund, adding: “This initiative allows us to celebrate the invaluable contribution of women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses around the world and to recognize the critical role they play in driving economic growth.”

“While women are one half the world’s population, they only contribute 37 percent to the global GDP,” he said.

Also at the announcement was Saudi Arabian Minister of Commerce Majid al-Kasabi, who called it a “milestone” and said his country was “dedicated” to supporting female empowerment.

Okonjo-Iweala said that in meeting female entrepreneurs, “a common refrain among them is the need for adequate financing to scale their businesses and to tap into the vast opportunities of global trade.”

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Presidential Election: A Crucial First Step toward Saving Lebanon from Economic Crisis

The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
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Presidential Election: A Crucial First Step toward Saving Lebanon from Economic Crisis

The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)

Since 2019, Lebanon has faced one of its worst economic crises in modern history, affecting all aspects of life. The local currency has lost over 95% of its value, driving inflation to record levels and making goods and services unaffordable. Poverty and unemployment have surged.
Amid this, political divisions have paralyzed government action, preventing any effective response to the crisis.
The recent war with Israel added to the burden, causing huge human and material losses estimated by the World Bank at $8.5 billion. This has made Lebanon’s economic and social struggles even harder to resolve, with no president in place to lead the country.
The presidential post in Lebanon has been vacant since President Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, leaving the country without a leader to address growing economic and financial issues.
This vacancy has stalled government formation, making it difficult for Lebanon to negotiate with international donors like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which demands major reforms in exchange for aid.
Choosing a new president is now a critical priority, not only to regain local and international confidence but also to begin the long-needed reforms.
One major challenge the new president will face is the reconstruction effort, which is estimated to cost over $6 billion. This is a huge financial burden that will require significant resources and effort to secure funding.
Reconstruction in Lebanon is not just about fixing infrastructure or repairing damage; it is a key test of the country’s ability to restore its role on the regional and international arena.
To achieve this, Lebanon needs a president with a clear vision and strong international connections, able to engage effectively with donor countries and major financial institutions.
Without credible and unified political leadership, Lebanon’s chances of gaining external support will remain limited, especially as international trust has been shaken by years of mismanagement and lack of reforms.
Keeping Lebanon’s deepening crises in mind, the people are hoping that electing a new president will offer a chance for economic and political recovery.
The new president, along with a strong government, is expected to rebuild trust both locally and internationally and restore political stability—key factors for stopping the economic decline and encouraging growth.
For instance, reviving Lebanon’s vital tourism sector will require better security and restoring confidence in the country as a safe place for investment.
This can only happen with political leadership that has a clear plan for reconstruction and necessary reforms.
Given Lebanon’s ongoing financial struggles, the new president’s ability to address these challenges will be critical to rescuing the country and guiding the economy toward recovery and sustainable growth.