The Trust’s advocacy work is rewriting the story of women’s economic advancement in Africa–one policy conversation, one partnership, and one life-changing commitment at a time. Behind each milestone lies not just a statistic but a network of dedicated women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and Trust staff, all driven by a shared vision: that when women thrive, communities flourish.
Malawi: Unlocking Capital, Unleashing Potential
In Lilongwe, March 2025 marked a turning point. After months of rigorous evidence gathering and heartfelt sessions with women-led businesses, Centenary Bank agreed to significantly lift its ceiling on collateral-free loans–quadrupling its previous limit. For entrepreneurs who once stood outside traditional lending doors, this MoU represents more than credit; it’s a decisive vote of confidence in their vision and capacity.
Tanzania: Aligning policy with promise
In Dar es Salaam, the WCW-Intergenerational Country Forum and Certification Ceremony on 29 May 2025 brought together government dignitaries, including Deputy Governor Sauda Msemo of the Bank of Tanzania, and a vibrant cohort of women entrepreneurs. Against the backdrop of the Women and Gender Development Policy and Tanzania Vision 2025, the gathering underscored a shared commitment: economic participation for all. By weaving Trust insights into national policy frameworks, Tanzania is laying a foundation where women’s leadership is not an afterthought but an integral pillar of development.
Zambia: Turning movable assets into opportunities
In the Copperbelt and Central Provinces, a targeted campaign championed by the Zambia Federation of Associations of Women in Business (ZFAWIB) has decoded a once-overlooked law–the Movable Property (Security Interest) Act No. 3 of 2016–to expand women’s access to finance. Through town hall meetings, radio shows, and the rollout of a practical Movable Collateral Registry and a user-friendly Guide to Unlocking Finance, over 4,000 women gained the knowledge and confidence to leverage everything from livestock to machinery as collateral. Supported by a catalytic grant from the Bank of Zambia, this initiative didn’t just raise awareness; it seeded a cultural shift where women’s assets are recognised as bona fide sources of credit.
South Africa: Cementing data-driven partnerships
On 2 April 2025, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation reaffirmed its collaboration with the Trust, recognising it as a critical partner in harnessing gender-disaggregated data for inclusive policymaking. As South Africa embarks on a mid-term evaluation of its National Development Plan, embedding gender-responsive insights promises more balanced economic strategies and richer evidence to guide interventions. For the Trust, this partnership means its meticulously collected data will help shape national priorities long past 2030.
Building regional advocacy muscle in Nairobi
In April of this year, twenty-one country managers, network representatives, and MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning) specialists convened in Nairobi for an intensive workshop on policy influence. During this Forum, they sharpened their skills in outcome harvesting, stakeholder mapping, and evidence-based advocacy–tools they will use to drive change in their home countries. This regional gathering not only reinforced individual capacities but also created a cross-border tapestry of best practices, laying the groundwork for coordinated advocacy across every country where the WCW programme is active.
Evidence to action: The Malawi National forum
In Lilongwe, Malawi, the Trust and its partners hosted the Malawi National Forum, where finalised WCW intergenerational research findings sparked data-driven dialogues. Vice-Chancellor Professor Address Malata pledged to leverage university resources for policy reform, exemplifying how academic-policy partnerships can catalyse systemic shifts. More than an event, the Forum served as a launchpad, transforming spreadsheets and focus group notes into a compelling advocacy roadmap aligned with Malawi Vision 2063.
Stories behind the statistics
These achievements are more than checkboxes on a program report. They are the stories of Selina Mwenelupembe, who watched her fellow entrepreneurs secure funding that once seemed out of reach; of Gloria Lema and Emma Kawawa, who heard government leaders echo their calls for inclusion; and of the countless women in Zambia who now stride confidently into banks clutching registry certificates. Each narrative adds depth to the Trust’s mosaic of impact, reminding us that policy shifts only matter when they ripple through real lives.
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Sustaining the momentum
As the Trust’s advocacy continues, the focus remains on scaling these breakthroughs and translating emerging research into fresh partnerships. From deepening collaborations with financial regulators to nurturing grassroots advocacy champions, the journey is ongoing. But with each MoU signed, law unpacked, and dataset shared, we draw closer to a future where women’s economic potential is fully unleashed–and where the echoes of today’s victories resonate through generations.
In weaving data and dedication into policy, we are influencing decisions–it’s crafting a narrative of inclusion, resilience, and shared prosperity. These victories remind us that when women stand supported, nations stand stronger.