A recently published study by the UN Educational, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that one in four African entrepreneurs has created innovative businesses.

The research involved 10 African countries, including Mozambique in an analysis that covered more than 400 women from the continent.

In Mozambique the study cites the story of entrepreneur, Jéssica Manhiça, who is the founder of the Ideário initiative, which brings digital training to Mozambican women.  

The businesswoman points out that many do not have access to computers and cell phones, a disparity confirmed by figures released by ICT Research Africa. The data reveal that only 6.8% women use the Internet in the country. 

"In my innovation center I seek to reduce these gaps and facilitate the insertion of women into the technology market," she is quoted as saying by UN News.

The few investments in the innovation sector aimed at women is the young entrepreneur's concern.

"One of the limitations I experienced was the lack of resource and teaching resources, with a focus on women when it comes to digitization and vocational training."

He says there is to keep in mind that as much as "we are in a society that is struggling to develop, the work to be done to achieve or overcome these limitations has to have a special focus on the girl." 

The entrepreneur's testimony is confirmed by the Unesco study, which reveals that 70% of the women interviewed cited the same obstacle.  

The UNESCO publication highlights that 90% of women who own businesses in the countries studied are encouraged by other success stories and not by lack of alternatives on the continent. Another finding of the survey is that one in 10 women considered advances in equality and inclusion essential for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.