Business Forum: Unlocking Growth through Regional Partnerships
On 18 May 2026, Kigali hosted a landmark business forum under the SheTrades Programme, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, development partners, and women entrepreneurs to advance women’s economic empowerment and intra-African trade under the theme “Unlocking Growth through SheTrades Collaboration.” Organized by the Economic Development Board Mauritius, host institution of the SheTrades Mauritius Hub, in collaboration with the Private Sector Federation Specialized Cluster, host institution of the SheTrades Rwanda Hub, and the Rwanda Development Board, the business forum held at the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali highlighted the importance of regional partnerships in strengthening African trade linkages and supporting women-led enterprises.
Led by Mrs Nirmala Jeetah, Director Healthcare & Life Sciences and SheTrades Mauritius Hub at the Economic Development Board Mauritius, the Mauritian delegation comprised 16 women-led businesses from the goods and services sectors seeking to expand into regional and continental markets. The forum served as a dynamic platform for networking, capacity building, business matchmaking, and engagement with the Rwanda business community, enabling participants to explore trade, investment, and partnership opportunities.
Delivering the welcome address, Mrs Thérèse Sekamana, Chairperson of the PSF Specialized Cluster and representative of the SheTrades Rwanda Hub, highlighted the important role of women entrepreneurs in driving inclusive growth, innovation, and regional integration. She emphasized the value of collaborative platforms such as SheTrades in enabling women-owned businesses to access new markets, build strategic partnerships, and strengthen cross-border exchange and cooperation.
The forum also featured an address by Ms Aline Umutoni, Director General at Rwanda’s Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF). Her remarks reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to gender-responsive economic policies and the creation of an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive. She highlighted that women’s economic empowerment is a key driver of sustainable development, poverty reduction, and stronger, more resilient communities.
Discussions emphasized the critical role of women entrepreneurs in driving inclusive growth, innovation, and regional integration, while showcasing initiatives supporting women-owned businesses through training, mentorship, market access, and strategic partnerships. The programme also provided insights into Rwanda’s investment and trade opportunities, regulatory framework, and enabling business environment.
The presentation delivered by Mrs Nirmala Jeetah of the Economic Development Board Mauritius highlighted Mauritius’ initiatives in supporting women-led enterprises through capacity building, market access, networking opportunities, and strategic partnerships. It also highlighted the trade and investment opportunities between Rwanda and Mauritius, showcasing the potential for deeper economic cooperation between the two countries. It further demonstrated how hub-to-hub collaboration can accelerate business internationalisation, strengthen intra-African trade, and promote inclusive economic growth.
The forum provided a valuable platform for the 16 women entrepreneurs from Mauritius to present their businesses and products to potential partners and stakeholders in Rwanda. The session showcased the diversity, resilience, and innovation of women-led enterprises across sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, agribusiness, services, and the creative industries.
Participants also gained insights into Rwanda’s dynamic investment landscape through a presentation on trade and investment opportunities delivered by Ms Alice Nikuze from the Rwanda Development Board. Rwanda continues to position itself as a regional hub for investment and innovation, supported by a conducive business environment, efficient governance systems, and strong economic reforms. The presentation highlighted opportunities in sectors such as tourism, ICT, agribusiness, manufacturing, logistics, and green growth.
Ms Annet Benegusenga, Head of the PSF Specialized Cluster and Focal Person for the SheTrades Rwanda Hub, presented the work and achievements of the SheTrades Rwanda Hub. Her presentation highlighted the Hub’s role in supporting women-owned businesses through networking, mentorship, training, and market linkage initiatives aimed at enhancing competitiveness and strengthening regional participation.
Ms Alice Nikuze, representative of the Rwanda Development Board, shared insights on trade and investment opportunities in Rwanda, highlighting the country’s enabling regulatory environment and investor-friendly policies. She emphasized priority investment areas and ongoing projects in mining, agriculture, real estate, tourism, transport and logistics, as well as digital and financial services.
Ms Diane Motoni, representative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry also delivered an important session on regulatory requirements for goods and services, including trade policies, import and export procedures, and compliance measures necessary for businesses seeking to operate across borders.
A key highlight of the forum was the Business-to-Business (B2B) networking session, which facilitated direct interactions between Mauritian and Rwandan enterprises and opened avenues for collaboration, distributorships, and market entry partnerships. The event further reinforced the importance of peer learning, regional value chains, and stronger institutional collaboration to enhance women’s participation in cross-border trade under the AfCFTA framework.
The forum reflected a growing momentum toward stronger African regional value chains and the enhanced participation of women-led enterprises in cross-border trade. By connecting women entrepreneurs with key institutions and business leaders, the Hub-to-Hub collaboration demonstrated the power of strategic partnerships to bridge market gaps, unlock new opportunities, and drive sustainable economic transformation.
Beyond business networking, the event reinforced the value of peer learning and knowledge exchange among women entrepreneurs as critical enablers of growth and resilience.
The SheTrades Programme continues to play a catalytic role in advancing women’s participation in international trade by equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and opportunities needed to scale and compete effectively in global markets. The Mauritius–Rwanda collaboration stands as a concrete example of how regional partnerships can accelerate inclusive economic growth and advance the vision of the AfCFTA.
As Africa deepens its economic integration journey, initiatives such as the Hub-to-Hub Collaboration under the SheTrades Programme remain essential in ensuring that women entrepreneurs are not only participants in trade, but powerful drivers and leaders of the continent’s economic future.
The Kigali forum concluded on a positive and forward-looking note, reflecting the shared commitment of Mauritius and Rwanda to strengthen intra-African trade, empower women entrepreneurs, and foster sustainable regional economic growth through the SheTrades Programme.
