Across Africa, women are leading the way in local development—whether as entrepreneurs, community organizers, environmental stewards or local government officials. Local governments play a vital role in enabling their leadership by creating environments that support their voices, visions, and ventures.
In recent years, African municipalities have risen to the challenge, recognising that women’s empowerment is central to inclusive, resilient communities. This transformation depends on education, resources, mentorship, and meaningful participation—elements now being brought together in powerful ways.
This article highlights two examples of such leadership: the “Connecting the Dots” initiative led by local governments in Eswatini, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and the Sebenza Mbokodo Women’s Fund spearheaded by the municipality of Midvaal, South Africa. Together, these cases show how local action can catalyse sustainable change for women and their communities.
Case study 1: empowering women through ‘Connecting the Dots’
African municipalities have risen to the challenge of advancing gender equality, recognising that women’s empowerment is central to building inclusive and resilient communities. Local governments in Eswatini, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and Gender Links, are leading the “Connecting the Dots” initiative to make this vision a reality.
This initiative supports women’s leadership in politics and entrepreneurship, increases their representation in local politics and senior local government roles. The project also equips women entrepreneurs to launch and grow sustainable businesses.
Through training, mentoring, and peer learning, the programme educates on women’s rights, transforming discriminatory practices, and enabling their entry into leadership roles. Central to this initiative is understanding local government as an engine in local economic development.
The initiative curates two networks to connect likeminded women in local governments of the four participating countries: Women in Local Government Networks (WLG) and Women in Local Economic Development Networks (WLED).
Credit: Gender Links
Women in local government networks
As part of the “Connecting the Dots” initiative, local governments have supported the formation of Women in Local Government networks (WLG). This platform provides essential opportunities for training, networking, and mentorship. It not only advocates for 50/50 representation of women and men but also builds capacity among female councillors and municipal staff.
One example is Bongekhile Mkhandvo in Pigg’s Peak, Eswatini. Working as an environmental officer for the Town Council, she credits the mentorship received through the WLG Network for helping her planning and implementing a local economic development project, as well as setting up a housing cooperative for low-income families.
“The mentorship has contributed significantly to helping me develop the project and action plan.” Bongekhile shared.
These women are not just participating in local governments. They are reshaping it to deliver inclusive local economic development.
Women in local economic development networks
The “Connecting the Dots” initiative also strengthens women’s participation in local economic development through the Women in Local Economic Development Networks (WLED). Women are key drivers of local economic development in Southern Africa, often serving as the main breadwinners in their families. Yet vulnerable groups, such as widows, single mothers, and survivors of gender-based violence, require targeted support. Through this initiative, these women receive the skills, mentoring, and peer support needed to thrive.
In Luwingu, Zambia, Natasha Zulu, founder of Tash’Novations, turned her vision into a successful business supporting expectant mothers and newborns. She credits the WLED Network with helping her become financially independent and empowering her to bring change to others.
“Experiencing the project has taught me to be courageous in running my own business,” she shared. “It has helped me become financially independent and bring change to others as well.”
Through this initiative, women have not only secured a sustainable livelihood for themselves but also generated meaningful economic and social impact in their town, contributing to a more inclusive and responsive model of local development.
The “Connecting the Dots” initiative has reached over hundreds of women. More than 200 vulnerable women, including widows and survivors of gender-based violence, have received intensive training and mentoring through the initiative.
Credit: The Jo Cox Foundation
Case study 2: financial Inclusion with the Sebenza Mbokodo Women’s Fund in Midvaal
While skill development is essential, limited access to finance remains a significant barrier for many women. To address this, the Municipality of Midvaal in South Africa launched the Sebenza Mbokodo Women’s Fund, an innovative programme offering interest-free loans and business development support for women-owned informal enterprises.
Informal businesses, often led by women, face exclusion from mainstream financing and limited government recognition. Yet, the municipality of Midvaal recognises the critical role of informal trading in poverty alleviation, economic and entrepreneurial development, and its positive impact on small and medium enterprises and disadvantaged communities. This project, supported by Standard Bank and ABSA Group, aims to close the gap by enabling these businesses to grow and compete on more equal terms.
Local women can access up to R10,000 through the fund to a maximum of R10,000 per business. It enables women to purchase materials, launch or expand their ventures, and compete with formal companies. Skills development combined with seed funding empowers women to become job creators rather than just job seekers.
Credit: South Africa Business
For example, Lebohang Ramath, through the fund, was able to purchase machinery for her business, Bo Bontle Trading & Projects, enabling her to bulk-produce school uniforms. Another beneficiary, Dimakatso Mokoena, used her funding to grow Dima’s Chicken Livestock into a thriving local enterprise.
The fund does not only enable women to develop sustainable forms of income for them and their families but also creates successful small businesses and stimulate employment of community members.
Recipients of the fund have not only gained a deep sense of self-fulfilment and the confidence, skills, and resources to pursue their ambitions, but have also become active contributors to their communities—creating jobs, providing essential services, and, most importantly, inspiring more women to become changemakers in their own right.
By 2021, the fund had disbursed over R1 million, supporting 154 businesses and generating 260 jobs. The initiative proves that local governments can play a direct role in advancing women’s economic inclusion, especially when they recognise and invest in informal sectors.
Credit: Midvaal Local Municipality social media
Lessons learned
The journey of African women in local development is one of resilience, innovation, and leadership. From development participation to informal enterprise, women are not just contributing—they’re transforming systems from the ground up.
These two initiatives show that local governments are uniquely placed to catalyse this transformation by creating enabling environments, investing in targeted support, and building inclusive local economies.
- Local government leadership is a game-changer. These cases show how committed, gender-responsive leadership at the municipal level can directly impact economic inclusion, political participation, and service delivery, particularly for marginalised women.
- Recognition is the first step. Inclusive development begins when local governments acknowledge the contributions and potential of women, whether through supporting women officers’ implementation of housing cooperatives in Pigg’s Peak or empowering informal women traders in Midvaal.
- Tailored financial support is essential. Generic financial tools often exclude women in informal economies. Midvaal’s Sebenza Mbokodo Women’s Fund demonstrates the importance of targeted financial support.
- Collaboration, network, and partnership are keys. When women are connected through networks of like-minded peers, they are better equipped to contribute meaningfully to development. Mentorship programmes and collaborative platforms, like WLG networks and WLED networks, not only strengthen their skills and confidence but also help embed lessons learned into lasting local solutions.
By embracing these lessons, local governments can continue to unlock the full potential of women leaders and entrepreneurs, paving the way for more equitable and thriving communities across Africa.
