A Moroccan BCDI 2030 Scholar committed to empowering women entrepreneurs
This article was published in University Affairs Magazine
By Fanny Constantino, Communications specialist
We had the privilege of speaking with Ms. Safae Hadri, a master’s student in management sciences at the Université du Québec à Trois Rivières (UQTR). The project Promoting Women’s Entrepreneurship: A Source of Collective Wealth is part of the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030) program. It aims to promote equal opportunities and improve the employability of women in Morocco and Madagascar through female entrepreneurship. Ms. Hadri began her masters in Canada in August 2025.
Below is her testimonial:
“Since the very beginning of my career, I have been fascinated by the dynamics that shape the business world and I have always wanted to contribute – at my own level – to its development. From my studies in journalism and communication in Morocco to my bachelor’s degree in economics and management sciences, and later my experience as a business journalist, each step has deepened my understanding of entrepreneurial issues.
My immersion in the business world has particularly fueled my interest in supporting women entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is one of the essential pillars of the economy: it creates value, generates employment and drives development. Through my academic and professional experiences, I have developed a strong interest in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and a desire to contribute to it effectively. It led me to enroll in the master’s program in entrepreneurial support at UQTR. The knowledge transfer, the support and the richness of the Canadian academic system represent invaluable assets that align with my background and long-term goals.
Since my arrival in Canada, the entire team at UQTR and BCDI 2030 have supported me and enabled me to pursue these aspirations. Through this scholarship and my research, I have been deeply inspired by the role women play in the business world. Whether they are CEOs of major companies or executive directors, their impact is significant, and they lead essential projects both across the continent and internationally – despite the many challenges they face. Too often, their innovative ideas encounter barriers that prevent them from being fully realized, leaving many projects on the drawing board! It was based on this observation that I chose to focus on entrepreneurial support as a lever to help these women overcome the inequalities they face in the field and the glass ceilings that persist. My current research focuses primarily on developing concrete and effective tools to transform their ideas into viable projects. Unfortunately, many initiatives never reach completion, even though they are essential to economic vitality.
The tools I am currently developing will allow me to effectively support these women entrepreneurs by drawing on the best practices I have acquired throughout my studies in Canada. At the end of my research, I hope to make recommendations based on my comparative study of female entrepreneurship in Quebec and Morocco. I am fortunate to already be involved in this ecosystem and to have privileged access to these women and the dynamics that shape their work. My position will allow me to transfer knowledge from one model to another. Through this exchange of knowledge and experience, I aim to make a concrete contribution to the success of these women and the advancement of their initiatives.
At the end of my research, I hope to actively contribute to decision-making, to advise, guide and support others drawing on the knowledge I have gained. I want to help and to transform the entrepreneurial projects led by these women into concrete and sustainable initiatives by combining research with practical application.
Once I return home, I am committed to continue this work from a master’s degree to a doctorate while contributing to scientific publications and share the knowledge I have acquired. The women’s entrepreneurship field still lacks substantial data and in-depth studies that would allow many projects to reach their full potential. Contributing to this research effort is, and will remain, a way for me to make a lasting impact.
Finally, I would strongly encourage future Scholars to seize this opportunity, as it is not only enriching but also meaningful on every level. Without this initiative, I would not have been able to acquire the tools and experience necessary to contribute to the development of the entrepreneurial sector. I am no longer the woman I was a year and a half ago, and I will not be the same in a few months when I return home and complete this journey. This experience transforms, broadens perspectives and provides a deeper structure to the way we contribute to development and to economic collaboration between Canada and Africa. It also shows us that, despite our differences, our challenges are not so far apart. Our goals are the same: to strengthen our entrepreneurial and economic sectors, and to contribute to the development of our countries.
At UQTR, I am supported by faculty members and academic staff who provide continuous guidance and encouragement. Among them, I would like to thank my master’s supervisor, Ms. Diane Gagné, as well as the team at the International Office.
Through Safae’s journey, the BCDI 2030 program reaffirms its commitment to empowering young Africans, particularly women, in the field of entrepreneurship and business. Skills transfer and knowledge sharing are crucial issues for international economic development.
