We are pleased to share that Nagham ElHoussamy, Associate Director for Research, Middle East and Africa at the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D), is representing A2K4D at the MENA-OECD Women's Economic Empowerment Forum (WEEF) 2026 in Paris.

Organized under the MENA-OECD Competitiveness Programme, the Forum brings together key stakeholders to advance gender equality, female entrepreneurship, and women's economic participation across the Middle East and North Africa.

A2K4D's participation reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment through research, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. Through the Inclusive AI Research Network (IAIRN), A2K4D supports multidisciplinary teams across MENA in developing community-driven and inclusive AI solutions that address gender inequalities and local challenges. These initiatives explore how responsible AI can expand women's opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, healthcare, and access to services.

Additionally, through its collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Egypt, A2K4D conducts research on Women, Work and Informality in Egypt's Digital Economy, examining women's participation in digital entrepreneurship, platform work, and informal employment. The research explores the barriers and opportunities shaping women's economic participation, aiming to inform inclusive, gender-responsive policies that promote economic empowerment, improve working conditions, and support sustainable opportunities for women.

Together, these efforts reflect A2K4D's commitment to fostering more inclusive and equitable economic futures across the region.

We look forward to the conversations and collaborations emerging from this important gathering.

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