As the world celebrates International Women's Day, a new report by the World Economic Forum has shed light on the top 10 African countries that offer the most economic opportunities for women. According to the Global Gender Gap Report, Liberia takes the top spot, followed closely by Botswana and Eswatini. The report highlights the significant impact women's economic participation can have on a country's overall economic growth and development.

The report notes that Sub-Saharan Africa has made progress in closing the gender gap, with 21 of 35 economies ranking in the top 100. Namibia stands out as a top-ten performer, with over half of the nations in the region having closed more than 70% of their gender gap. However, the report also highlights the significant disparities between the top and worst performers, with a 22.8 percentage point difference.

The importance of women's economic participation cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that bridging gender inequalities in labor force participation can increase GDP. In Africa, where many economies are based on agriculture and informal trading, providing women with greater access to education, financing, and technology can boost production. Women's economic participation is also an effective means of reducing poverty, as they tend to invest up to 90% of their earnings back into their families and communities.

Financial inclusion for women, such as access to bank accounts, mobile banking, and microloans, enables them to start enterprises and attain financial independence. Expanding financial services for women can help expedite economic transition. Countries like Rwanda, where women play important roles in business and governance, have demonstrated how gender inclusion can drive economic growth.

The top 10 African countries with the most economic opportunities for women, as ranked by the Global Gender Gap Report, are: Liberia (0.874), Botswana (0.854), Eswatini (0.840), Togo (0.796), Kenya (0.789), Zimbabwe (0.786), Burundi (0.784), Namibia (0.783), Madagascar (0.759), and Ghana (0.750). These countries have made significant strides in providing women with the opportunities they need to thrive economically.

As the world continues to celebrate International Women's Day, this report serves as a reminder of the importance of gender inclusion in driving economic growth and development. It also highlights the need for continued efforts to bridge the gender gap and provide women with the opportunities they need to succeed.

By recognizing and supporting women's economic participation, African countries can unlock their full potential and drive sustainable economic growth. As the report notes, "participation and opportunity stands at 68.1%, with progress in labor-force participation and positive results in technical and professional roles." With continued progress, the economic opportunities for women in Africa are likely to continue to grow.