Speaking during the inaugural event for Women’s Month at the Sandton Convention Center, Chikunga explained that a resilient economy not only withstands crises and adapts to changes, but also grows inclusively.

According to the Minister, the country cannot aspire to economic strength when half of its population remains marginalized; she emphasized that women’s financial inclusion must go beyond basic access to banking services.

“It is about reconfiguring economic power, eliminating discriminatory lending practices, reforming property rights, and challenging cultural norms that place men as the sole financial decision-makers,” she said.

The official insisted that rebuilding productive systems and structures, incorporating the potential of all citizens, especially those who have been historically excluded, is an essential condition for a vigorous and sustainable economy.

Chikunga recalled how Africa, with a population that grew from 283 million in 1960 to more than 1.5 billion in 2024, represents the future of global trade and offers an expanding market that must be connected, nurtured, and driven through innovation.

The minister highlighted the central role of women in African trade and emphasized that traditional models, based on male networks, have failed to translate the continent’s wealth into well-being for its inhabitants. jdt/arc/mv