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Growing role of women in business: from state support to sustainable development 06.03.26

In recent years, an increase in women’s entrepreneurship activity in Azerbaijan has been observed. This increase has been recorded in connection with state measures implemented in the direction of further improvement of the business environment, incentive mechanisms, and institutional support. As a result, both the number of women entrepreneurs and their economic activity have been expanding.

According to information of the State Statistical Committee, as of 1 January 2026, women make up 23.7% of individual entrepreneurs registered in Azerbaijan for carrying out entrepreneurial activity without establishment of a legal entity. Compared to 2023, the number of women individual entrepreneurs has increased by 28.5%.

Among women entrepreneurs, 28% are registered in Baku, 10% in Lankaran-Astara economic region, 9.6% in Gazakh-Tovuz economic region, and the remaining part is registered in other economic regions.

Women make up 38% of entrepreneurs operating in the field of “Other service activities”, 26.2% in “Agriculture, forestry and fishing”, and 22.2% in “Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles”.

According to regional distribution of individual entrepreneurs by gender composition, the share of women entrepreneurs is above the country average in Gazakh-Tovuz (28.7%), Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (27.8%), Ganja-Dashkasan (26.2%), Baku (25.6%), and East Zangazur (24.5%) economic regions.

The stimulation of women’s entrepreneurship activity and the increase of their role in economy and employment are among priority directions. In order to support women in starting and expanding business activity, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA) carries out free training programs and consultancy services. Through support mechanisms such as domestic market research, participation in exhibitions, support for access to trade networks, investment promotion certificates, cluster certificates, grants, and “Startup” certificates, women entrepreneurs benefit from existing support instruments, and their access to financial resources and sales markets is supported.Until now, KOBİA has provided grants in the amount of more than 500,000 manats to 33 women entrepreneurs and has issued “Startup” certificates to 36 women entrepreneurs. More than 5,200 training sessions have been conducted for women entrepreneurs on different topics, more than 2,600 consultancy services have been provided, and support has been ensured for preparation of business plans for around 700 women entrepreneurs operating in Baku and regions. At the request of women entrepreneurs, several domestic market research studies have been conducted. In total, support has been provided for participation of more than 1,030 women entrepreneurs in local and international exhibitions and fairs, as well as access to trade networks.

Since 2016, 69 women-founded entities holding investment promotion certificates have imported equipment within the framework of 82 projects, based on 880 approval documents, with total value of 260.9 million manats, and received tax exemption benefits in the amount of 72.4 million manats.

Around 30 sectoral meetings and awareness events have been organized for women entrepreneurs in Baku and regions, with participation of around 580 women entrepreneurs.

Within the framework of cooperation between KOBİA and partner public and private institutions, projects such as “Women’s Power in Business” and “Women Entrepreneurs in Successful Partnerships” have been implemented, aimed at involvement of women in business activity and support of their development.