This list is courtesy of the recently released 2021 Master Card Index of Women Entrepreneurs shared by Business Insider Africa.

Over 36.1% of firms have women in their ownership structure, according to the World Bank Enterprise Survey, which is above the global average of 34.0% and even above OECD countries average 35.1%. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurship across the world with 27%, but most of these businesses tend to have no employees and low growth expectations: they are for the most part, one-woman enterprise oriented towards consumers. Entrepreneurship still is the new deal, new game for women in Africa and the list below is of countries that offer a great business environment for women in Africa.

It should be noted that the MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs is aimed at providing a global insight on the progress women around the world are making in the business world. The ranking draws on the socioeconomic factors that either encourage or hinder women entrepreneurs.

According to MasterCard, the index used 12 indicators and 27 sub-indicators to determine the following: advancement outcomes for women entrepreneurs, knowledge assets and financial access and most importantly entrepreneurial supporting conditions.

At the end of the assessment, 65 countries were ranked as being the best for women entrepreneurs, starting with the US, Canada and New Zealand which ranked in the top three positions. Meanwhile, out of 56 countries, only 13 are in Africa. See the countries below, arranged in order of appearance on the list.

1. Botswana: This southern African country ranked 35 on the global index. It is the first African country with the highest ranking on the index.
2. South Africa: Next on this list is south Africa which is ranked number 37 on the global index.
3. Ghana: Next up is this west African country which came in at number 48 on the global index.
4. Madagascar: This island country took the 50^th position on the global index.
5. Uganda: next to Ghana is Uganda which ranked 52 on the global index of the best countries for women entrepreneurs.
6. Nigeria: Africa’s most populous country ranked number 53 on the global index of the best countries for women entrepreneurs.
7. Ethiopia: Africa’s second most populous country came in at number 54.
8. Angola: Angola took the 55^th position on the global index.
9. Tunisia: the north African country came next at 56.
10. Morocco: morocco ranked number 59 on the global index.
11. Algeria: Algeria followed next at number 60.
12. Malawi: Malawi came in number 63.
13. Egypt: finally, we have Egypt at number 64.