Women Drive Change at Global Investment Forum

Group photo of attendees at the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum 2026 in Manama, Bahrain.

Women entrepreneurs must be recognised as architects of economic change, not merely beneficiaries.

That was the central message of the Manama Declaration, issued at the close of the World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) held this week in Bahrain.

The declaration places women at the heart of economic transformation, underscoring that empowering them within business and innovation ecosystems is essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.

It also calls for strengthening women’s presence across emerging sectors, including the green, blue and orange economies, which promote environmental responsibility, the sustainable use of ocean resources and creativity, respectively.

Organised by the UN Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain, the forum convened leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world to help shape a more resilient global economy and unlock new opportunities for women-led enterprises.

“An amazing opportunity”

For many participants, the forum delivered tangible results.

Doris Martin, CEO of DMartin Consultancy in Bahrain, attended in search of meaningful collaboration and found it.

Through business-to-business (B2B) meetings facilitated during the event, she established partnerships with companies in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

“This forum has been effective for me,” she 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.”

Shared challenges, shared solutions

The forum’s impact extended beyond the Arab region.

Ayanthi Gurusinghe, President of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and a representative of the South Asian Women Development Forum, attended alongside delegates from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

She said participants exchanged valuable lessons, particularly on access to finance, a challenge faced by women entrepreneurs across regions.

“It was a good opportunity for networking, to come together, share views, learn and exchange experiences,” she said, expressing appreciation to UNIDO for creating a space where global connections could flourish.

Special focus on artists with disabilities

Beyond panel discussions and networking sessions, the forum also spotlighted inclusive entrepreneurship through three exhibitions, including one titled “Determined Creative Entrepreneur.”

Among the exhibitors was Nisreen Samour of Micro Art Center in Bahrain, which specialises in training and developing artistic talent, with a special focus on artists with disabilities.

“Today, we have about nine students participating, each specialising in an artistic field that aligns with their interests and abilities,” she said.

“I personally train them, and we are currently working on developing their skills and empowering them to produce professional artwork that will help them effectively enter the art market and the job market, thus contributing to increased productivity and the centre’s overall performance,” she told UN News.

The centre also works with orphans, helping them develop artistic skills and showcase their work publicly, fostering independence and self-reliance through creativity.

The role of academia

One recurring theme was the role of higher education in preparing young women to enter entrepreneurship.

In an interview with UN News, Dr Nihal Al-Najjar, a professor at the Royal University for Women in Bahrain, highlighted the need to embed entrepreneurship deeply within academic systems.

“Our academic role is to integrate entrepreneurship not just as a subject, but as a methodology,” she said, explaining that experiential learning and practical application are key. “We encourage students to think, innovate and identify gaps in society, and then work to find solutions.”

She added that universities must go beyond classroom teaching by connecting students to the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem and guiding them towards mentorship, funding opportunities and professional networks when they are ready to launch their ventures.

A driving force for sustainable development

The World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) was preceded by the annual conference of the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC), a New York-based NGO that helps women-owned businesses grow.

Speaking at the conference, UNIDO Director-General Gerd Müller described women’s entrepreneurship as a driving force for sustainable development, global 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 said, highlighting persistent barriers to finance, technology and higher-skilled roles for women globally.

Reaffirming UNIDO’s commitment, he added that “empowering women is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” The 17 SDGs, adopted by governments in 2015, provide a blueprint for a more just and equitable future for people and the planet.

Mr Müller praised Bahrain’s leadership in supporting entrepreneurship and women’s economic participation. He also outlined UNIDO’s ongoing work in crisis-affected countries, noting, “UNIDO has just started working to set up recovery programmes in Syria, Sudan and Palestine. Mostly, the women there are affected, and they need our support.”

Women as engines of business

In her opening remarks, IWEC Chair Ibukun Awosika highlighted women’s transformative role as engines of business, leadership and national progress.

She said women constitute half of the world’s productive assets and, when empowered, become game changers in corporate and political leadership. Drawing on her own journey, Ms Awosika recalled building a manufacturing group over 36 years before becoming the first and only woman chair of sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria.

“What women represent to the world is 50 per cent of its assets — productive, constructive assets that are game changers when fully deployed,” she said.

“Every nation that has enough wisdom to invest in and actualise the talent in 50 per cent of its population is a country that is set to win.”

Success stories from Bahrain and Nigeria

According to its website, IWEC has recognised 575 distinguished awardees globally, honoured annually at its conferences and nominated by partner organisations, representing women-owned businesses from across the world.

In Bahrain, IWEC recognised a new cohort of awardees from the Middle East and Africa.

Among them was Sonia Mohamed Janahi, founder of Maya La Chocolaterie, who highlighted UNIDO’s role in advancing women’s entrepreneurship.

With UNIDO’s support, Janahi expanded her Bahraini chocolate brand into Africa, establishing a cocoa processing plant in Côte d’Ivoire, creating jobs, promoting ethical supply chains and ensuring global recognition for African-produced chocolate.

“UNIDO has played a very vital role in my progression. They have taken my project and opened opportunities for me,” she told UN News.

Also honoured was Nigerian entrepreneur Oluwakelemi, who discussed her gifting and lifestyle retail business, which employs women and supports household incomes across Nigeria while preparing to expand internationally.

“I am passionate about building scalable African businesses with global reach,” she said. “Not less than 5,000 people have benefited from our business and our work.”