Africa’s Economic Future Depends on Women Entrepreneurs, AfCFTA Secretary-General Says

Abuja, Nigeria — The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, has said Africa’s economic transformation and industrial growth will largely depend on the ability of women entrepreneurs to participate fully in continental trade.

Speaking at the HerAfCFTA Regional Conference 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, Mr. Mene stressed that women are already among the most active contributors to trade across Africa and must be placed at the centre of the continent’s economic integration agenda.

“Africa’s economic future will be stronger when women are equipped with the finance, skills, infrastructure and networks required to grow their businesses and trade confidently across the continent,” he said.

According to the AfCFTA Secretary-General, empowering women-owned and women-led enterprises is not only an issue of inclusion but a strategic necessity for achieving sustainable economic growth, industrialisation and shared prosperity across the continent.

AfCFTA Offers Opportunity to Remove Trade Barriers

Mr. Mene noted that the AfCFTA presents a historic opportunity to dismantle many of the longstanding obstacles that have limited the growth of women-led businesses beyond national borders.

These barriers include limited access to finance, inadequate trade information, high transportation and logistics costs, cumbersome customs procedures, weak business networks and restricted access to formal markets.

“Women are among the most active drivers of trade in Africa, yet many continue to face significant barriers that constrain their ability to scale up their businesses and access regional markets,” he said.

He explained that addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring that the benefits of continental trade integration are shared broadly across society.

Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade a Global First

Highlighting efforts to promote inclusive trade, Mr. Mene described the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade as a groundbreaking instrument designed to respond directly to the needs of women and youth-led enterprises.

“The Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade is the first legally binding instrument of its kind in the world,” he stated. “It represents a major step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable trading environment across Africa.”

The Protocol seeks to remove barriers that disproportionately affect women and young entrepreneurs while expanding access to finance, markets, business development opportunities and regional value chains.

It is also expected to encourage greater participation by women in higher-value sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, logistics, digital technology, mining, agriculture and professional services.

According to Mr. Mene, increased participation in these sectors would help women transition from small-scale and informal trading activities into more productive, competitive and export-oriented enterprises.

Implementation Will Determine Success

While welcoming the adoption of the Protocol, the AfCFTA Secretary-General cautioned that its success will ultimately depend on effective implementation.

“The adoption of the Protocol is an important milestone, but its true impact will depend on how effectively governments and stakeholders translate its provisions into practical support for women entrepreneurs,” he said.

He called for stronger collaboration among governments, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to ensure that women-owned businesses receive the support needed to thrive in the continental market.

Mr. Mene identified affordable financing, targeted skills development, improved infrastructure, simplified trade procedures and stronger cross-border business networks as key priorities for implementation.

He also urged governments to align national trade, industrial and entrepreneurship policies with the objectives of the Protocol to maximise its impact.

Financial Institutions and Private Sector Have Key Roles

The Secretary-General further highlighted the role of financial institutions in supporting women entrepreneurs.

“Many women-owned businesses operate viable enterprises but face challenges accessing credit because they are unable to meet traditional collateral requirements,” he noted.

He encouraged banks and financial institutions to develop financing products that better reflect the realities of women-led businesses.

The private sector, he added, can contribute through supplier development programmes, mentorship initiatives, technology transfer and the integration of women-owned enterprises into regional supply and value chains.

Inclusive Trade Central to Africa’s Growth Agenda

Mr. Mene’s remarks reinforced the broader vision of the AfCFTA as a vehicle for inclusive economic transformation across the continent.

As implementation of the Agreement gains momentum, AfCFTA is expected to create new opportunities for businesses to access larger markets, attract investment and expand production.

However, he stressed that these benefits can only be fully realised if women are empowered to participate as producers, manufacturers, exporters, service providers and investors.

The HerAfCFTA Regional Conference 2026 brought together policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and development partners to explore ways of advancing women’s participation in intra-African trade and ensuring that the AfCFTA delivers inclusive growth for all Africans.

For Mr. Mene, the message was clear: Africa’s prosperity will be shaped not only by the success of its trade agreement but by the extent to which women are empowered to seize the opportunities it creates.