Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth: Motivations and Barriers

Abstract

Female entrepreneurship is a recent concept with deeper, historical roots that has evolved into a multidisciplinary research field, particularly within the professional environment. Emphasizing women's empowerment through equitable access to professional opportunities directly fosters an environment conducive to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. According to a study conducted by the Women In Africa Philanthropy Foundation and Roland Berger, 84% of African women aspire to engage in entrepreneurship to generate a positive social impact; however, 70% of these female entrepreneurs feel disadvantaged compared to their male counterparts. In Morocco, female entrepreneurship remains relatively underdeveloped. The primary objective of this paper is to present a literature review on female entrepreneurship, with a specific focus on its distinct characteristics in Morocco, while examining the motivations and barriers that hinder its development within the country. The findings indicate that women transition into entrepreneurship seeking personal fulfillment, financial autonomy, and social engagement. Nonetheless, achieving these objectives remains constrained by a specific set of barriers, including limited access to financing, work-life balance difficulties, persistent gender stereotypes, unequal access to education and training, restrictive regulatory frameworks, and insufficient institutional support.