The SheTrades Mauritius Hub, hosted by the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) through its Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), recently hosted a dynamic two-day Regional Workshop on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the Intercontinental Resort Hotel, Balaclava from 3-4 September 2025. This event marked a significant milestone in Africa’s journey toward inclusive, sustainable trade, with a particular focus on empowering women entrepreneurs from Eastern and Southern Africa.
The workshop began with powerful and visionary remarks from high-level leaders, who emphasized the transformative potential of AfCFTA, the world’s largest free trade area, connecting 55 countries with a combined market of 1.4 billion people and a GDP exceeding USD 3 trillion. They were all unanimous on the vital role women entrepreneurs play towards a more inclusive continental trade ecosystem. Women-led enterprises represent a significant share of Africa’s informal and formal economies. This workshop is a concrete step towards equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and networks needed to scale their businesses beyond borders and integrate more effectively into regional and continental markets.
In his welcome address, Mr. Abhimanu Kundasamy, Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board, Mauritius, highlighted the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stating: “The scale and significance of the AfCFTA make it stand among the most remarkable economic initiatives of the modern era; it holds the potential to reshape Africa’s economic destiny.”
Mr. Kundasamy also recognized the pivotal role of women entrepreneurs in Africa’s development. He affirmed: “You are innovators. You are leaders. You are building the foundations of Africa’s economic transformation from the ground up.” His remarks reinforced a growing consensus that gender-inclusive economic policies and support systems are essential for achieving sustainable growth and unlocking the continent’s full potential.
Ms. Eunice G. Kamwendo, Director, ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa called for deliberate actions to remove barriers and implement the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade. Describing the protocol as a “landmark commitment to structural reform,” Ms. Kamwendo emphasized its transformative potential in fostering inclusive trade across the continent. “Unlocking the full potential of the AfCFTA will require intentional strategies to dismantle the deeply rooted barriers that have historically limited the participation of women and youth in trade,” she stated. She highlighted the importance of targeted initiatives, noting that this workshop represents a concrete step toward equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and networks needed to scale their businesses beyond borders and integrate more effectively into regional and continental markets.
Ms. Lisa Simrique Singh, UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius & Seychelles, emphasized the workshop’s strong alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality, highlighting the importance of creating equal opportunities for women in trade and entrepreneurship. She commended the Economic Development Board’s SheTrades Hub for its impactful work in empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting their integration into national, regional, and global markets. Ms. Singh underscored that trade is not merely an economic tool but a powerful driver of social transformation, capable of advancing women’s rights, reducing inequalities, and promoting inclusive development.
Honourable Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance, of Mauritius reaffirmed Mauritius’ unwavering commitment to advancing regional economic integration, with a clear focus on placing women at the heart of economic transformation. He emphasized: “Mauritius approach is rooted in openness, innovation, and collaborative engagement across the Southern African region.” He further acknowledged the critical role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in unlocking new pathways for inclusive and sustainable growth. Within this framework, he underscored that the empowerment of women entrepreneurs is essential as key architects of the region’s transformative growth agenda, driving resilience, equity, and long-term prosperity across borders.
Honourable Ms. Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare delivered an inspiring and empowering keynote address, setting an ambitious and hopeful tone for the workshop. She called on women to embrace leadership roles with courage and conviction, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping Africa’s economic future. In her powerful remarks, she stated: “When women trade, they create prosperity; when women rise, entire communities rise; and when She Goes Global, Africa moves forward with confidence and pride.”
By placing women at the forefront of regional and continental economic integration, the Minister highlighted the vital link between gender empowerment and sustainable development.
With these impactful words, she officially declared the workshop open, marking the beginning of a dynamic platform for learning, collaboration, and action among women entrepreneurs from across the region.
Over the two days, participants explored the key building blocks of AfCFTA through expert presentations and interactive sessions. The focus was on:
- AfCFTA protocols, provisions, and implementation tools
- Interface between SADC and AfCFTA
- Trade facilitation, Rules of Origin, and Non-Tariff Measures
- Digital trade and e-commerce strategies
- Identifying new markets using Trade Map
- One Trade Africa (OTA) initiative by ITC
- Trade In Services and how to access the AfCFTA market
A dedicated exhibition space brought together women-led businesses from across the continent, representing a vibrant cross-section of Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. Twenty-one women-led businesses from member states of the ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), including Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe attended the forum. Additional representation came from Comoros, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, and Tanzania, highlighting the pan-African reach of the event.
Notably, the showcase also featured innovative women entrepreneurs from Mauritius and Rodrigues, further affirming the host country’s commitment to fostering inclusive trade and regional collaboration. These exhibitors used the platform to promote their products, connect with potential buyers, and explore cross-border market opportunities under the AfCFTA framework.
The workshop culminated in a vibrant Business-to-Business (B2B) matchmaking event, where women-led enterprises from the 15 participating countries benefitted from:
- Peer-to-peer learning and exchange of best practices
- Real-time networking and trade partnership discussions
- A spotlight on five high-impact women-owned businesses
- Concrete opportunities for cross-border collaboration
This segment translated learning into action, offering a practical platform for building market linkages and trade relationships beyond national borders.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Nirmala Jeetah, Director of Bio Industry & Project Development, ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub at the Economic Development Board, Mauritius reaffirmed the importance of such workshop, especially for women-led businesses, noting that this kind of exchange is highly significant. She stated: “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.” Mrs. Jeetah’s remarks reflected a deep commitment to gender-inclusive trade and ensure that women entrepreneurs are firmly positioned as key drivers for the continuous economic development across Africa.
Adding to the momentum, Ms. Zodwa Mabuza, CHIEF, ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa, emphasized the need for regular, practical, and regionally inclusive workshops that not only raise awareness but also build capacity and provide actionable tools for women entrepreneurs. “This workshop has not only empowered participants but has also reignited our collective commitment to building ecosystems that work for women,” Ms. Zodwa stated. “To make real progress, we need continuity. We need to replicate and scale up this effort across the continent.”
Her remarks served as a rallying call to policymakers, private sector actors, and development partners to commit to women-focused economic initiatives.
The Regional Workshop on AfCFTA was more than a forum; by creating space for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and regional dialogue, this initiative has paved the way for greater entrepreneurial inclusion and continental economic transformation. The workshop concluded with a unified pledge to maintain momentum, foster stronger business linkages, and ensure that women entrepreneurs are firmly positioned as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable development across Africa especially among women and youth, the true engines of Africa’s growth.
