Joburg seen as successful in nurturing female entrepreneurs, report shows

Johannesburg ranked 28 out of 50 cities globally for incubating female entrepreneurship.

Aarti Bhana 11 August 2017

Female entrepreneurs leading Johannesburg in global city ratings. Picture: Shutterstock

The city of Johannesburg has been ranked 28 out of 50 cities globally, for showcasing skill development and business opportunities for women in the 2017 Women Entrepreneur Cities Index.

The index compares and ranks global cities according to their ability to foster and incubate “high-potential women entrepreneurs” and business owners to develop the country’s economic status. The study was conducted by technology services company, Dell.

Cities were ranked by virtue of female skill development in the fields of capital, technology, talent, culture and markets. It was found, however, that South Africa’s female population is leading the political field above others.

The Dell index found that 44% of South African women work in parliament, which, according to the index, is among the highest in the world. It also found that women represent 42% of the cabinet and 38.4% of the local government.

South Africa dropped from its 2016 ranking of 23 to 28 in 2017, and this according to the study was due to tougher market conditions.

On Monday this week, Stats SA released its quarterly labour force survey results, which found South Africa’s overall unemployment rate was sitting at a dismal 27.7%. Female unemployment sits at 29.8% and male at 26.0%.

Women in sectors across South Africa are trying to beat this figure. The International Franchising Association (IFA) found that women are leading the figures in franchise ownership and operations in South Africa.