Manama, Bahrain – At the close of the World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) this week, a central message emerged: women must be recognized as the architects of economic change, not merely its beneficiaries. The declaration, known as the Manama Declaration, places women at the heart of economic transformation, emphasizing that empowering them within business and innovation ecosystems is crucial for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.
Organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain, the forum brought together leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the globe to forge a more resilient global economy and unlock opportunities for women-led enterprises. The declaration specifically calls for strengthening women’s presence in emerging sectors – the green economy, focused on environmental responsibility; the blue economy, centered on sustainable ocean resource utilize; and the orange economy, promoting creativity.
For many attendees, the forum yielded tangible results. Doris Martin, CEO of DMartin Consultancy in Bahrain, secured partnerships with companies in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco through business-to-business (B2B) 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.” “I’ve had the opportunity to talk to people from literally every continent,” she said. “It has been an amazing opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders.”
The forum’s impact 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 lessons, particularly regarding access to finance – a challenge faced by women entrepreneurs across regions. “It was a good opportunity for networking, to approach together, share views, learn and exchange experiences,” she said, praising UNIDO for fostering global connections.
WEIF 2026 likewise spotlighted inclusive entrepreneurship, featuring exhibitions like “Determined Creative Entrepreneur.” Nisreen Samour of Bahrain’s Micro Art Center, which trains and develops artistic talent among individuals with disabilities, exhibited the operate 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 expression.
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, emphasized the need to integrate entrepreneurship into academic curricula as a methodology, not just a subject. “We encourage students to think, innovate and identify gaps in society, and then work to find solutions,” she said, advocating for universities to connect students with mentorship, funding, and professional networks.
The WEIF followed the annual conference of the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC), which recognizes women-owned businesses globally. UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller described women’s entrepreneurship as a driving force for sustainable development, innovation, and economic inclusion. He stated that empowering women is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlighted UNIDO’s ongoing recovery programs in Syria, Sudan, and Palestine, where women are disproportionately affected.
IWEC Chair Ibukun Awosika emphasized women’s transformative role as engines of business and leadership, noting that women represent half of the world’s productive assets. “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.
Among the awardees recognized by IWEC at the Bahrain conference was Sonia Mohamed Janahi, founder of Maya La Chocolaterie. Janahi 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 very vital role in my progression. They have taken my project and opened opportunities for me,” she said. Nigerian entrepreneur Oluwakelemi, founder of a gifting and lifestyle retail business employing women, also received recognition, noting that her business has benefited over 5,000 people in Nigeria and is preparing for international expansion.
IWEC has recognized 575 distinguished awardees globally, representing women-owned businesses from around the world. The organization reports that the event represents investments exceeding $6 billion dedicated to supporting women globally.
