The World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) concluded its 2026 gathering in Manama, Bahrain with the release of the “Manama Declaration,” a statement that places women at the heart of economic transformation. Organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office, the forum brought together investors, policy makers and women‑led businesses from more than 30 countries to chart a path toward inclusive, sustainable growth.
At the core of the declaration is a call to empower women within business and innovation ecosystems, a move UNIDO says is essential for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The document also urges stronger participation of women in emerging “green, blue and orange” economies – sectors focused on environmental stewardship, sustainable use of ocean resources and creative industries respectively.
Manama Declaration frames women as economic drivers
The declaration, posted on UNIDO’s event portal WEIF 2026 page, emphasizes that “empowering women within business and innovation ecosystems is essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.” It highlights three priority areas – green, blue and orange economies – and calls on governments and private investors to create financing mechanisms, mentorship programmes and market‑access initiatives that specifically target women‑led enterprises.
UNIDO Director‑General Gerd Müller, speaking at the closing session, said, “Women’s entrepreneurship is a driving force for sustainable development, global innovation and economic inclusion.” He added that UNIDO will continue to “ensure a level playing field” and is expanding recovery programmes for women‑affected communities in Syria, Sudan and Palestine UNIDO.org.
Cross‑regional networking yields tangible partnerships
Participants reported concrete outcomes from the forum’s business‑to‑business (B2B) matchmaking. Doris Martin, CEO of DMartin Consultancy in Bahrain, said the event helped her secure partnerships with firms in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, noting, “This forum has been effective for me. I’ve had B2B collaboration with regional companies through Bahrain and through UNIDO.” Her remarks were recorded in a post‑event interview with UN News.
Another attendee, Tosin Arwejulo – a Nigerian‑American entrepreneur and head of Leadership Excel Consultancy – described the gathering as a “powerful networking platform,” adding, “I’ve had the opportunity to talk to people from literally every continent.” The breadth of connections reflects the forum’s aim to bridge gaps between emerging‑market entrepreneurs and global investors.
Ayanthi Gurusinghe, president of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, echoed the sentiment, noting that delegates from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan exchanged lessons on financing challenges that cut across borders. She praised UNIDO for creating a “space where global connections could flourish.”
Inclusive entrepreneurship: art, disability and academia
Beyond panels, WEIF showcased three exhibitions centered on “Determined Creative Entrepreneur.” One exhibitor, Nisreen Samour of Bahrain’s Micro Art Center, highlighted training programs for artists with disabilities. She explained, “Today we have about nine students … each specializing in an artistic field that aligns with their interests and abilities.” The center also works with orphans, using art as a pathway to independence.
Higher education also featured prominently. Dr. Nihal Al‑Najjar, professor at Bahrain’s Royal University for Women, urged universities to embed entrepreneurship as a methodology rather than a standalone subject. She said, “We encourage students to think, innovate and identify gaps in society, and then work to find solutions,” and called for stronger links between academia, mentorship networks and financing sources.
Award‑winning women entrepreneurs spotlighted
The International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) – a Modern York‑based NGO that partners with UNIDO – recognized 575 awardees worldwide, including a new cohort from the Middle East and Africa. Among them, Sonia Mohamed Janahi of Maya La Chocolaterie described how UNIDO’s support enabled her to launch a cocoa‑processing plant in Côte d’Ivoire, creating jobs and promoting ethical supply chains.
Janahi told UN News, “UNIDO has played a very vital role in my progression. They have taken my project and opened opportunities for me.” The ceremony also honoured Nigerian entrepreneur Oluwakelemi, whose gifting and lifestyle retail business employs thousands of women across Nigeria and plans to expand internationally.
Why the focus on women matters
Women represent roughly half of the world’s productive assets, a point underscored by IWEC Chair Ibukun Awosika, who noted that “every nation that invests in the talent that is in 50 percent of its population is a country that is set to win.” Her remarks align with UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ call for gender‑responsive recovery plans in the post‑COVID era.
By centering women in the green, blue and orange economies, the Manama Declaration seeks to address long‑standing financing gaps, technology access hurdles and under‑representation in high‑skill sectors. The declaration’s recommendations are expected to feed into UNIDO’s forthcoming “Women‑Led Business Toolkit,” slated for release later this quarter.
For readers who want to follow UNIDO’s next steps, the agency will publish a detailed post‑forum report on its website within the next two weeks, outlining policy recommendations and a roadmap for implementing the Manama Declaration’s priorities.
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