BRICS WBA Calls for Greater Support for Women Entrepreneurs

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Tuesday, 15 September 2026

The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) and BRICS Business Council have called for stronger support for women entrepreneurs, greater intra-BRICS trade and investment, and deeper business collaboration to unlock economic opportunities across member countries. The two bodies presented their 2026 Annual Reports under India’s chairship, placing women’s economic participation and regional business integration at the centre of their recommendations.

Key Highlights:

• WBA urges BRICS nations to scale women-led enterprises
• Business Council calls for stronger intra-BRICS trade and investment
• Reports align business recommendations with India’s four BRICS pillars

BRICS WBA Chairperson Avarna Jain said women entrepreneurs across BRICS economies are creating jobs, building businesses, driving innovation and contributing to economic growth. She stressed that the next phase should focus on helping women move beyond participation towards leadership, scale and cross-border expansion.

Jain argued that women’s economic empowerment should be treated as an economic strategy rather than a sectoral issue. The WBA’s recommendations centre on four priorities: creating enabling conditions for women-led enterprises, expanding access to capital and innovation ecosystems, strengthening economic resilience through women-led solutions, and scaling successful initiatives across BRICS markets.

The recommendations seek to address barriers that continue to restrict women-owned businesses from accessing wider markets and investment opportunities. Discussions at a related BRICS Business Forum session highlighted that around 80 per cent of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across BRICS are led by women or have significant female participation. However, women-led businesses continue to face challenges including limited market access, financing gaps, regulatory hurdles and inadequate integration into regional and global value chains.

Participants called for a shift from symbolic inclusion towards systematic integration, enabling women entrepreneurs to participate more actively in cross-border trade and investment.

Meanwhile, BRICS Business Council Chair Jai Shroff called for stronger economic integration between member economies through increased trade, cross-border investment, technology sharing and the development of robust value chains. He said BRICS countries need to connect their economic strengths more effectively and create new partnerships between businesses.

The Business Council’s recommendations also include a proposed BRICS supply chain resilience framework, aimed at improving information sharing and preparedness during disruptions. Its priorities align with India’s four BRICS chairship pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.

The push forms part of India’s wider efforts during its 2026 BRICS Presidency to strengthen opportunities for women-led enterprises. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has also advocated improved market access, digital commerce, financing and business collaboration for women entrepreneurs across BRICS economies.

The two reports were submitted for consideration by BRICS leaders during the closing ceremony of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, reinforcing calls to convert the grouping’s economic potential into tangible opportunities for entrepreneurs and enterprises.