Accessing markets is crucial for business growth and success, yet many women entrepreneurs face significant hurdles that prevent them from doing so. Gender biases and structural barriers limit women’s opportunities in business, making it difficult to develop the skills, confidence, and networks required to break into new markets. This inequality hinders not only their business growth but also economic empowerment on a wider scale. Here, our Senior Programme Manager, Cristina Rivero, explores. 

Our 2022 survey found that 59% of women entrepreneurs across low- and middle-income countries needed better access to markets or procurement opportunities to address the business challenges they face. Without adequate market access, these women are often unable to reach key inputs, suppliers, customers, and buyers that are vital for growth. 

Gendered barriers to market access 

Women entrepreneurs, especially in low- and middle-income countries, face unique challenges in accessing markets. They often have limited access to capital, technology, and business training, alongside insufficient professional networks, gender bias, restrictive regulations, and inadequate infrastructure. 

Access to finance, in particular, stands out as a major barrier to market access growth. In 2023, our annual survey revealed that the biggest challenge faced by women entrepreneurs was access to finance, with 25.6% of respondents identifying it as a primary obstacle. This lack of financial resources directly impacts their ability to enter or expand within markets. Additionally, limited access to technology makes it harder for women entrepreneurs to connect with broader networks and digital customer bases, leaving them at a disadvantage in today’s increasingly digital economy. Overcoming these challenges requires targeted, innovative solutions designed to meet the unique needs of women in business. 

Building Capacity and Confidence: Key Factors for Success in Accessing Markets 

The Foundation is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs overcome these barriers. Through programmes that provide essential skills, resources, and networks, we empower women to successfully enter and expand within their markets.

Our Road to Growth programme, for example, helped Naomi Kimuyu, CEO and founder of Africa Lamu Nuts Ltd, refine her business positioning and client segmentation. Working on branding and packaging has strengthened her presence in existing markets, and in partnership with DHL Express, she is now exploring the potential to enter new ones. 

Another entrepreneur, Margaret Mwaura, founder of Samaru Business Ventures, participated in our Road to Leadership programme. Operating in the traditionally male-dominated honey production sector, Margaret gained the confidence to connect with new suppliers and access markets previously out of reach. Her business has since expanded into Tanzania and is set to enter Ethiopia. 

In addition to Road to Growth and Road to Leadership, our Road to Finance and Mentoring Women in Business programmes provide women with tailored support in financial literacy, business skills, and mentorship. Together, these initiatives build the capacity, confidence, and resilience needed to overcome barriers and drive business growth. 

In 2024, driven by the needs expressed by the women we work with, we launched the Road to Markets programme. This initiative provides women entrepreneurs with the skills they need to either enter new markets or expand within existing ones, and targeted support in confidence-building and network development, essential for building resilient, sustainable businesses.  

Tangible outcomes 

One of the most significant impacts we observe through our programmes is a boost in self-confidence. In 2023, 74% of the 20,665 women supported by the Foundation reported increased confidence in their business skills due to our training and mentoring. This confidence is a crucial factor that helps women tackle business challenges with assurance and resilience. 

Expanding professional networks is equally critical, particularly for accessing markets. Many women lack access to networks that could connect them to clients, suppliers, and investors. Our programmes are designed to build these networks, providing women with the vital relationships and mentorship needed to open doors to new opportunities. Last year, 87% of women in our programmes reported significant growth in their business networks, a key step towards market expansion. 

Market Access for Inclusive Growth 

We call on corporates and other stakeholders to join us in creating more success stories like those of Naomi and Margaret. Partnerships are essential for scaling our programmes and extending transformative opportunities to more women worldwide. By collaborating with organisations like ours, partners can directly contribute to dismantling the barriers that prevent women from accessing the markets they need to grow and succeed. 

Improving market access for women entrepreneurs is a vital step towards a more inclusive, equitable economy. Gender-specific barriers—such as limited access to networks, finance, and technology—prevent women from reaching new customers, suppliers, and investors. To address these barriers, focused commitment, innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships are required. The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women is at the forefront of this effort, working to ensure that women entrepreneurs are equipped with the confidence, skills, and connections necessary to access and thrive in new markets. 

With the right support, women entrepreneurs can achieve remarkable success, driving prosperity within their communities and beyond.