Introduction
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a flagship initiative of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming to establish the world’s largest free trade area, uniting 55 African countries into a single market of 1.3 billion people. Beyond removing trade barriers, the AfCFTA is designed to boost intra-African investment, develop regional value chains, and enhance the continent’s global trade competitiveness.
Women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in Africa’s private sector, yet many faces significant obstacles particularly in accessing finance, digital tools, and cross-border markets. The AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade seeks to address these barriers and unlock the full potential of women entrepreneurs across the continent.
In this context, the ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub, hosted by the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, in joint partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) through its Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), is organizing a two-day Capacity Building Workshop and B2B Event themed “Unlocking Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs in Southern Africa under the AfCFTA.” from 3–4 September 2025, Intercontinental Hotel, Balaclava, Mauritius. The event will feature interactive workshops, panel discussions, B2B meetings, and an exhibition showcasing products and services by women-led businesses.
Objectives
The workshop will convene over 70 women entrepreneurs, including at least 20 women-led businesses from across Africa (from at least 14 countries) and 50 female entrepreneurs from Mauritius, alongside other participants from regions with strong business ties to Mauritius. Local stakeholders, private sector representatives, and international partners will also join. Beyond capacity building, the event will serve as a dynamic platform to explore Africa’s potential as both a supplier of raw and intermediate materials and a rapidly growing market for goods and services, particularly in Business and ICT Services.
Mauritius, as a regional leader in trade in services, stands to benefit significantly from enhanced intra-African trade. With a positive services trade balance of USD 3.2 billion in 2023, the country is well-positioned to leverage AfCFTA-driven market expansion. This workshop supports the broader goal of inclusive economic growth and women’s empowerment, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and broader regional integration.
Participants will benefit from a rich and interactive programme that includes:
- Technical capacity-building sessions focused on trading under the AfCFTA
- Engaging panel discussions with experts and practitioners from across the continent
- Awareness sessions on the latest AfCFTA protocols, tools, and market opportunities
- A dynamic B2B networking event, connecting women entrepreneurs with potential partners and investors
- An exhibition corner featuring products and services from women-led businesses across Mauritius, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Expected outcomes
Women entrepreneurs will
- Learn how to trade under the AfCFTA and leverage regional value chains
- Understand rules of origin, non-tariff measures, and digital trade
- Network with 75+ women entrepreneurs from across Africa
- Connect with international organizations, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders
- Explore new markets, partnerships, and business opportunities
Key Topics Covered:
- AfCFTA protocols, provisions, and implementation tools
- Digital trade & e-commerce strategies
- Rules of origin and trade facilitation
- Leveraging the “One Trade Africa” program
- Women in regional and intra-African trade
Highlights:
✅ Technical training sessions
✅ B2B networking & business matchmaking
✅ Exhibitor showcase by women-led MSMEs
✅ Participation of stakeholders from 15+ African countries
Target Participants:
- Women entrepreneurs and MSMEs from Mauritius and across Eastern & Southern Africa
The workshop will be preceded on September 2nd by a one-day training , delivered by the International Trade Centre, on the utilization of ITC’s market analysis tool, the ITC TradeMap.
Contacts:
Ms. Nirmala Jeetah - Director, Bio Industry & Project Development, ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub Economic Development Board, Mauritius.
Email : Nirmala@edbmauritius.org
Ms. Bineswaree Bolaky – Economic Affairs Officer and Gender Focal Point, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA)
Email: bineswaree.bolaky@un.org
Media Contacts:
Mr Bedson Nyoni – Senior Information Management Assistant
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA)
Email: nyonib@un.or