Women’s entrepreneurship is considered one of the important tools not only for economic development but also for ensuring societal gender equality in our era. Particularly in the Central Asian region, where transition economies prevail, women’s entrepreneurship emerges as a phenomenon that must be addressed alongside stages of societal change. Women’s participation in the workforce, integration into global markets, and digitalization are of strategic importance for the economic sustainability of the region. Numerous projects led by international institutions contribute to inclusive growth and the strengthening of social equality by supporting women’s entrepreneurship.
One of the most remarkable examples of the growing trend of women’s entrepreneurship in Central Asia is the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in April 2024. This program, which began in February and lasted seven weeks, brought together 21 women entrepreneurs from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, providing them with comprehensive training on online marketing, digital transformation, and business management strategies. Participants in the project gained expertise in many different areas, such as developing business models, creating an online identity, and effectively using financial digital tools. One of the highlights of this program was that participants were supported by one-on-one mentoring. Thus, women entrepreneurs not only acquired knowledge but also became part of a regional solidarity network. This demonstrates that community and networking are as important as individual competence in women’s entrepreneurship.
Likewise, the Aid for Trade initiative, implemented through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and successfully ongoing since 2009 under the name “Aid for Trade in Central Asia,” has been launched in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. This initiative, supported by Finland, provides significant assistance to women across these countries in various areas, including financing, mentoring, and market integration. This initiative aims to increase the participation rates of women entrepreneurs in international trade and integrate them into global supply chains. In addition, the “Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO,” organized by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), enables women entrepreneurs to connect with investors.
The reports published by UN Women emphasize that such platforms both facilitate access to financing for women entrepreneurs and pave the way for innovative ideas to be brought to life. Another noteworthy aspect of this initiative is that it enables women entrepreneurs to access global markets through e-commerce. One of the projects supported in Kyrgyzstan, “Tomo”, helps women to produce handicrafts at home and present them in the digital marketplace. In this way, women not only earn an economic income, but also contribute to social inclusion.[i]
Women’s entrepreneurship is experiencing rapid growth also in Uzbekistan. While there were only 300,000 women entrepreneurs in the country in 2020, this number has reached 2.1 million as of 2024. This represents a sevenfold increase in four years. Similarly, in rural areas of Kazakhstan, women’s share in small-scale trade has risen to 80%. However, despite all these developments, women entrepreneurs still face serious challenges. Lack of financing, limited access to technology, restricted market access, and low digital literacy rates prevent women from fully realizing their potential. The support provided has transformed women’s entrepreneurship from being limited to individual success stories to becoming an indispensable part of regional development strategies.
Women’s leadership roles increase diversity and contribute significantly to the development of innovative business models. The presence of women entrepreneurs, especially in areas focused on social benefit such as health, education, agriculture, and the environment, serves to accelerate sustainable development. The Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO, run by UN Women, is another important platform supporting women. The EXPO, launched in 2021, has quickly become a movement showcasing the successes of women entrepreneurs and empowering women. To date, more than 1,600 women entrepreneurs have joined this platform, with over 18,000 participants attending 16 events held in 10 different countries. The EXPO is not just a fair, but also stands out as an ecosystem where women entrepreneurs meet investors, consultants, and business partners. Participants receive specialized training in various fields such as green economy, digital marketing, e-commerce, financing, and artificial intelligence, and find opportunities to expand their businesses.[ii]
Based on all these developments, it is evident that women’s entrepreneurship is a rapidly rising trend in Central Asia. However, for this phase to be sustainable, structural improvements are needed, not only in education and coaching, but also in access to financing, market integration, and increasing digital literacy. The increase in the number of women entrepreneurs will not only provide individual economic benefits, but will also contribute to the development of the region, generating employment and strengthening gender equality. This process of transformation created by women through entrepreneurship in Central Asia will play a fundamental role in building a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable economic order in the future.
[i]“United to advance the 2030 Agenda: Central Asia countries pledge to act for gender equality in the region”, UN WOMEN, https://eca.unwomen.org/en/stories/press-release/2025/02/united-to-advance-the-2030-agenda-central-asia-countries-pledge-to-act-for-gender-equality-in-the-region, (Access Date: 03.10.2025).
[ii]“In Focus: Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025”, UN WOMEN, https://eca.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/womens-entrepreneurship-expo-2025, (Access Date: 03.10.2025).
