Gendered Policy Frameworks and Women’s Entrepreneurial Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case of Burundi

This study critically examines women’s entrepreneurship policy in Burundi through a gender-sensitive analytical framework, addressing two key research questions: (1) To what extent are existing entrepreneurship policies designed to facilitate and support women’s entrepreneurial activities in Burundi? (2) How can these policies effectively promote the growth and sustainability of women-led SMEs in the region? Employing the Global Women Entrepreneurship Project (GWEP) methodological approach, the study applies institutional theory to assess structural constraints and policy gaps affecting women entrepreneurs. The findings highlight significant deficiencies in policy design, particularly the absence of dedicated entrepreneurship policies that account for gendered barriers, such as limited access to financial resources, inadequate support services, and socio-cultural constraints. The study argues that Burundi, along with other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, must implement context-specific, gender-responsive entrepreneurship policies to foster inclusive economic development. The study calls for targeted policy interventions, including access to funding, training programmes, and regulatory reforms, to mitigate systemic obstacles hindering women’s entrepreneurial advancement.