dinero_admin Mastercard today presented the study “Empowerment for All: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs”, which positions Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as the region with the smallest gender gap in entrepreneurial intentions worldwide. The report reveals that, despite sectoral differences, interest in entrepreneurship is practically the same among men and women. Seventy-five percent of women and 76% of men have considered starting a business, and this trend continues for those who plan to do so in the future (76% women vs. 77% men), reflecting a growing equity in entrepreneurial opportunities[1].
However, the findings show that, for many women, turning an idea into a sustainable business remains a challenge, with lack of financing and financial resources being one of the main barriers for those wishing to become entrepreneurs in LAC[2]. For those who already have a business, child care becomes an additional challenge.
In response, Mastercard reinforces its commitment to financial inclusion through initiatives that promote digitalization, financial education, and access to strategic tools, thus strengthening the competitiveness of the female entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
Among them, the INCAE Virtual Accelerator offers specialized training to strengthen the presence of women entrepreneurs in international trade, while Entrepreneur’s Odyssey provides access to world-class academic and business resources, facilitating the growth and consolidation of small businesses in the digital ecosystem.
In a work process. Two concentrated female entrepreneurs in aprons working in a store with natural goods. Woman with long curly hair looking through documents, her colleague helping her, standing beside with notepad and new article.
Other findings on the advancement of female entrepreneurship in LAC
49% of women in LAC have already started their own business, consolidating their participation in the regional economy[3]. The study identifies the main reasons why women decide to become entrepreneurs:
- 72% seek to generate more income
- 39% want to achieve financial independence
- 37% want to save for a specific goal
In addition, the most relevant sectors for women entrepreneurs in the region are:
- Freelancing (28%)
- Online sales of their own products (27%)
“At Mastercard, we are committed to supporting small and medium-sized businesses, providing innovative services to accelerate their digitization and strengthen the economy. Since 2020, it has supported more than 50 million businesses, including 37 million led by women, with solutions designed to drive their growth”, said Maria Barreiros, vice president of product and solutions for small and medium-sized businesses at Mastercard in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Businesswoman with identity card around neck standing in lobby using mobile phone, holding cup – Image by © Juice Images/Corbis
Empowering future entrepreneurs
For more women to enter strategic sectors, it is essential to strengthen science and technology education from an early age. Developing these skills expands their job opportunities and accelerates innovation in the region.
In this context, Mastercard leads Girls4Tech™, a global program that has benefited thousands of girls over the past decade. Designed to close the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the program addresses topics such as algorithms, encryption, biometrics, and Big Data, fostering female leadership in technology disciplines. Since its inception in 2014, Girls4Tech has established itself as the world’s largest STEM program for girls ages 8 to 12, according to Euromonitor.
“The success of small and medium-sized businesses is a shared success, as they play a vital role in communities globally and locally. When they thrive, they benefit everyone around them. No one understands this better than Mastercard, which works to empower every business with reliable, effective, and secure solutions, accompanying them at every stage of their growth”, said Luz Gomez, vice president of Social Impact for LAC at Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth.
Through its network of community leaders, banks, technology partners and merchants, Mastercard continues to develop innovative solutions and inclusive support for small businesses, ensuring that women entrepreneurs have the tools they need to grow their businesses and achieve their goals.
Research scope and Methodology
The study was commissioned by Mastercard, and fieldwork was conducted by independent research agency Opinium, between december 16, 2024 and january 3, 2025, a quantitative online survey was conducted in 41 countries across North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa that included 42,500 respondents from the general population and 4,300 entrepreneurs/founders. The full list of countries surveyed is: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, China, Thailand, Korea, South Africa, Nigeria, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kenya, Egypt, Ukraine, Morocco, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Canada and USA.
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