AfCFTA Workshop Boosts Women Entrepreneurs in Mauritius

The Economic Development Board (EDB) in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a capacity building workshop lasting two days from 8 to 9 July. This program aims at empowering women entrepreneurs with the know-how, tools, and networks needed to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The two-day workshop was designed to aid the development of the skills in exporting of women-owned enterprises, and it presented participants with different sessions that focused on maximizing the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.

The participants were informed about how to access the African markets and choose the most beneficial export destinations for Mauritian products and services. The initiative is intended to boost the exporting potential of the SMEs, cross-border cooperation, and outreach of women entrepreneurs in Africa.

Key Highlights:

• EDB and UNDP equip women entrepreneurs to leverage AfCFTA trade opportunities
• Workshop strengthens export readiness and cross-border trade for women-led SMEs
• AfCFTA opens new African markets for Mauritian women-owned businesses

In order to fully tap into the existing opportunities, women entrepreneurs require an environment which is not limited to simply access to markets. Development of entrepreneurship skills requires capacity building, networking, and adoption of digital technology for trade, financial access, efficient customs and trade processes, and public-private partnerships creating meaningful connections with buyers, investors, and business partners across Africa.

In her speech, Alka Bhatia, UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles stressed the need to translate AfCFTA possibilities into business benefits for women-owned enterprises: “AfCFTA should not be viewed as a distant continental framework, but as a practical pathway to more buyers, better finance, stronger logistics, smarter digital tools and deeper partnerships for women entrepreneurs.”

The aim of the workshop was to enhance participants' knowledge of rules of origin, tariff concessions, customs requirements, and regional trade regulations. Critical aspects of international trade, including export financing, payment systems, logistics, shipping connectivity, and trade facilitation measures were a major part of the program. Participants gained practical insights into addressing market entry challenges and building effective export strategies.

As the largest free trade zone in the world AfCFTA involves all 54 member countries of Africa, constituting a single market that comprises more than 1.4 billion consumers with an aggregate GDP of over US$3.4 trillion. For Mauritius, it means an unparalleled chance to develop its regional trade connections and reach out to a broader range of markets in terms of exporting their goods. It is especially beneficial for women-owned firms due to enhanced market reach and innovations.

The initiative is one of the measures adopted by UNDP as part of its continued efforts to empower women economically and enhance their entrepreneurship within the context of the UNDP Country Programme 2024-2028 in Mauritius. This follows various other initiatives including the AfCFTA Women and Youth in Trade Protocol Consultations at the national level, the contribution to the National Strategy for Women Entrepreneurship Development, and export-readiness trainings via the Xport Accelerator Program for women entrepreneurs.

The opening ceremony was attended by Honourable Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade; Ms Alka Bhatia, UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles; Mr Sanjay Bhunjun, Chairman of the EDB; members of the diplomatic corps; and more than 80 women entrepreneurs, underscoring the strong institutional support for advancing women's economic participation through regional trade.