Women entrepreneurs must be recognized as the architects of economic change, not merely beneficiaries, according to a declaration issued at the close of the World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) in Bahrain this week. The Manama Declaration places the empowerment of women within business and innovation ecosystems at the heart of achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The forum, organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain, convened leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the globe. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen women’s participation in emerging sectors, including the green, blue, and orange economies – areas focused on environmental responsibility, sustainable ocean resource management, and creative industries, respectively.
For many attendees, the WEIF provided concrete opportunities for collaboration. Doris Martin, CEO of DMartin Consultancy in Bahrain, secured partnerships with companies in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco through business-to-business meetings facilitated during the event. “This forum has been effective for me,” Martin told UN News. “I’ve had B2B collaboration with regional companies through Bahrain and through UNIDO.”
Tosin Arwejulo, CEO of Leadership Excel Consultancy and a Nigerian-American entrepreneur based in Bahrain, described the forum as a “powerful networking platform,” offering connections with leaders from every continent. “It has been an amazing opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders,” she said.
The forum’s reach extended beyond the Arab region. Ayanthi Gurusinghe, President of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and representative of the South Asian Women Development Forum, attended with delegates from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Participants exchanged insights on overcoming shared challenges, particularly regarding access to finance for women entrepreneurs across South Asia. “It was a good opportunity for networking, to arrive together, share views, learn and exchange experiences,” Gurusinghe said, praising UNIDO for fostering these global connections.
WEIF 2026 also highlighted inclusive entrepreneurship, featuring exhibitions such as “Determined Creative Entrepreneur.” Nisreen Samour of Micro Art Center in Bahrain, which trains and develops artistic talent among individuals with disabilities, showcased the work of her students. “Today, we have about nine students participating, each specializing in an artistic field that aligns with their interests and abilities,” Samour explained. The center also supports orphans, fostering independence and self-reliance through creative skill development.
The role of higher education in preparing women for entrepreneurship was a recurring theme. Dr. Nihal Al-Najjar, a professor at the Royal University for Women in Bahrain, stressed the need to integrate entrepreneurship as a core methodology within academic curricula. “We encourage students to think, innovate and identify gaps in society, and then work to find solutions,” she said, advocating for stronger connections between universities and the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The WEIF followed the annual conference of the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC), a New York-based NGO focused on supporting women-owned businesses. UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, speaking at the IWEC conference, described women’s entrepreneurship as a driving force for sustainable development, innovation, and economic inclusion. “We must ensure that women everywhere have a level playing field and are given the opportunity to unlock their full potential,” he stated, acknowledging persistent barriers to finance, technology, and skilled roles for women globally. He also noted UNIDO’s recent efforts to establish recovery programs in Syria, Sudan, and Palestine, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of crises on women.
IWEC Chair Ibukun Awosika emphasized women’s transformative role as engines of business and national progress, stating that women represent half of the world’s productive assets and can be “game changers” when empowered. “Every nation that has enough wisdom to invest and to actualize the talent that is in 50 per cent of its population is a country that is set to win,” she said.
IWEC recognized new awardees from the Middle East and Africa at the Bahrain forum. Sonia Mohamed Janahi, founder of Maya La Chocolaterie, highlighted UNIDO’s support in expanding her Bahraini chocolate brand into Africa, establishing a cocoa processing plant in Côte d’Ivoire. “UNIDO has played a exceptionally vital role in my progression. They have taken my project and opened opportunities for me,” she said. Janahi noted that the event represents investments exceeding $6 billion aimed at supporting women globally.
Nigerian entrepreneur Oluwakelemi, whose gifting and lifestyle retail business employs women and supports household incomes in Nigeria, also received recognition. She stated her commitment to building scalable African businesses with global reach, noting that her business has already benefited over 5,000 people.
