Balaclava, Mauritius, 04 September 2025 (ECA) – After three days of rigorous training, sharing of experiences, capacity building, and a B2B networking event, the regional workshop on Unlocking Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) came to a successful close in Mauritius.
The event, co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa and the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius – the host of the ITC SheTrades Hub, brought together over 70 women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and partners from across Africa to strengthen women’s participation in trade and investment under the AfCFTA.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Zodwa Mabuza, Chief, Sub-Regional Initiatives Section, ECA SRO-SA, reaffirmed the transformative role of women in trade.
“At ECA, we believe in the power of African women to drive change and economic transformation. The AfCFTA market is massive and offers unprecedented opportunities for women entrepreneurs to expand beyond borders. Together, we must address the binding constraints they face and create platforms for collaboration, networking, and growth.”
She reaffirmed ECA’s commitment to supporting gender-responsive trade policies, strengthening women’s participation in regional value chains, and creating platforms for collaboration across Africa.
Echoing this sentiment, Mrs. Nirmala Jeetah, Director, Economic Development Board of Mauritius and Coordinator of the ITC SheTrades Hub Mauritius, highlighted the leadership of women in shaping Africa’s economic future.
“You, the women entrepreneurs, are not just participants in this process, you are the leaders who will transform the promise of AfCFTA into reality. Your ambition, creativity, and determination are the driving forces that turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into growth” she said.
Over the course of the workshop and B2B sessions, participants gained practical skills in leveraging ITC trade tools, explored new partnerships, and exchanged insights on how to navigate cross-border trade. The program underscored the importance of gender-responsive trade policies, digital connectivity, and regional value chain integration to ensure women-led businesses can fully benefit from the AfCFTA.
The workshop concluded with a unified commitment to maintain the momentum, foster stronger business linkages, and ensure that women entrepreneurs are firmly positioned as key drivers of the AfCFTA and champions of inclusive, sustainable development across Africa.
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.org
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org