In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the progress of our hubs in fostering gender equality. Today: Mali.

In 2025, Orange Corners Mali achieved a significant milestone, increasing female participation in their cohort from 35% to 48%. This growth wasn’t just a number; it was the result of intentional, community-focused strategies designed to break down barriers for Malian women entrepreneurs.

How did they do it? Here’s a look at their ‘secret sauce’:
✅ The DoniLab team made women entrepreneurs a visible priority by revising communication messages to be more inclusive and show female role models from previous cohorts.
✅ The hub actively engaged women’s networks, entrepreneurs’ associations and community intermediaries to reach women where they are.
✅ Physical presence builds a deep climate of trust. This proximity allows for the early identification of challenges and adaptation of support formats.
✅ With a significant proportion of women in coordination, training and mentoring roles, OC Mali has created a climate of trust and reduced psychological barriers for participants.
✅ To account for mobility constraints and family responsibilities, the programme uses hybrid and online formats with adjusted schedules, ensuring that professional growth doesn’t clash with personal realities.

Orange Corners Mali proves that by combining intentional strategy with deep local roots, they can create an ecosystem where every entrepreneur has the space to thrive.