When I founded MomBoss Universe, it started with something very simple — giving women an affordable, trusted space to advertise their businesses online. What began as a small platform has since grown into a community of thousands of female entrepreneurs across Africa. Along this journey, I’ve learned something important: African women in business don’t lack ideas, creativity, or drive. What they lack are the right opportunities — visibility, trust, and access to affordable tools that allow them to compete on a bigger stage.
The Barriers Women Entrepreneurs Face
For many SMEs across Africa, the obstacles are strikingly similar:
- Limited access to affordable finance — traditional funding channels often exclude women or come with steep conditions.
- High operational costs — from logistics and energy to marketing, running a business can be costly before it even scales.
- Complex regulations and red tape — navigating compliance and tax rules drains time and energy.
- Market fragmentation — each region has its own rules, currencies, and cultures, making expansion daunting.
- Lack of visibility and trust — many women-led businesses are overlooked simply because they don’t have the budget or networks to compete.
Even buyers sometimes unintentionally add pressure, expecting discounts from small businesses while paying full price to larger brands.
Breaking Through with Digital Tools and Safe Platforms
At MomBoss Universe, our strategy has been to lower these barriers by providing what women entrepreneurs need most: affordable visibility and trusted networks.
- Digital Platforms: Online marketplaces and social media open the door to new audiences without the overhead of physical expansion.
- Community and Trust: By ensuring that only female entrepreneurs sell on MomBoss Mall, we’ve created a safe, credible space that attracts both buyers and sellers.
- Policy Dialogue: SMEs need simpler, fairer rules for digital business. While we can’t change regulations overnight, trusted online platforms make the process safer and more transparent for everyone.
- Collaboration over Competition: Through initiatives like our affiliate and influencer program, MomBoss members cross-promote, share resources, and create collective visibility that no one could achieve alone.
Why This Matters
When women entrepreneurs are given these opportunities, they don’t just survive — they thrive. They scale, create jobs, and drive impact that ripples through families and communities.
MomBoss is proof that with the right tools and environment, barriers can be broken. And when they are, women-led businesses in Africa can — and do — stand shoulder to shoulder with global players.
Stay tuned for Part 2
Written by
Lauren van Rooyen
CEO & Founder MomBoss Universe
