Africa Women in Business have unveiled a new association aimed at promoting intra African trade.
The Continental Network for Women Businesses in Africa (CONWOBAA) was unveiled last week at a global SME ministerial meeting that was held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The meeting saw the attendance of over 102 women businesses across 6 regions of Africa. This initiative was supported by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Africa Union Commission while second handed by the AWIP pavilion which is under the framework of ITCs SheTrades and One Trade Africa strategies.
The association also appointed its leadership tree which consists of Dimakatso Malwela (SA) as their chairperson who is also the president of Women of Value South Africa (WOVSA) with Fanja Razakaboana who is the president of Madagascar Women Entrepreneur Association (GFEM) being appointed as vice.
Other women leaders appointed to the leadership position of the association are Laura Akunga Mwenje who is the CEO of Benchmark Solution Limited and also the chairperson of African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Kenya and Secretariat was appointed as the secretary of the association, while Ms Mabel Ibidun Quarshie who is the chief executive officer of Aquatic Food Limited of Ghana was appointed as the association secretary.
Appointed regional leaders are Sitti Abdallah Mshangama (Comoros), Ms Barbara Banda from (Malawi), Ms Yomita El Sheridy (Egypt), Ms Leila Belkhira Jabar (Tunisia), Dr Blessing Irabor Oza (Nigeria), Ms Nicole Gakou Gomis (Senegal), Ms Betty Mulanga Kadima (The Democratic Republic of Congo), Ms Ester Omam (Cameroon) and then Dr Nigest Haile from Ethiopia.
“We are delighted to bring together womens business association from across Africa to advance intra Africa trade. This network underpins ITCs broader through SheTrades and One Trade Africa to create real markets for African women led enterprises,” Dorothy Tembo ITC deputy executive said.
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While making a remark Miss Malwela said that women face challenges in accessing funds and financial resources, gender bias discrimination and many other challenges which in her case sees them as a major setback for women to move forward in business a matter that she promises to make policies that will address them.
“This powerful network is led by women in leadership who are successfully running businesses and advocating for the growth of women led enterprises in Africa,” Ms Tembo said.
Additionally she said that they look forward to the growth of the association and the chances that it will create to the women.
CONWOBAA is designed to facilitate trade for women entrepreneurs and through the continental free trade area AfCFTA to help members of WBAs to access cross border trade opportunities.
