Abstract:
Women entrepreneurs are recognized as drivers for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth. Despite
this, Small-Scale Women Entrepreneurs (SSWEs) undergo challenges in the current global market due to
limited access and use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). The disruption caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic is fuelling fast-paced innovation and uptake of digital technologies in all spheres of life
indicating that the widespread shift to the use of more ICTs is indispensable. This is becoming increasingly
clear that SSWEs are under considerable pressure in meeting business demands in the new reality. The study
employed desktop research using mixed methods and descriptive approach to establish the role of SSWEs; the
factors affecting SSWEs in socio-economic development and analyze the potential ICTs opportunities as tools
for empowering SSWEs. The article explores how SSWEs can benefit from integrating E-business and digital
marketing to foster communication and business. An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats of SSWEs in relation to ICT4D is provided and the study recommends how to foster strategies and
initiatives to promote SSWEs empowerment.
