New Women-Led Trade Alliance Emerges to Strengthen Intra-African Commercial Ties

• Johannesburg hosts Launch of CONWOBAA to strengthen Intra-African women’s trade network
• ITC and African Union Commission collaborate as 102 women businesses associations unite under this initiative
• CONWOBAA leverages AfCFTA to help women entrepreneurs access regional trade opportunities and build sustainable businesses

At the Global SME Ministerial meeting in Johannesburg, the Continental Network for Women’s Business Associations in Africa (CONWOBAA) was officially launched, which is a major step toward boosting Intra-African trade.

Backed by the International Trade Centre in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AWIP Pavilion, this transformative initiative has been a platform to unite 102 women’s business associations from across all African regions.

CONWOBAA connects women entrepreneurs to African Continental Free Trade Area driven opportunities, helping unlock regional market spaces and build future-ready businesses.

Heading the leadership team and marking a pivotal step in formalizing its strategic direction, Dimakatso Malwela of Women of Value South Africa (WOVSA) has been named as its inaugural chairperson. Fanja Razakaboana, President of GFEM, will serve as Association’s Deputy Chair, to drive the initiatives for a focused and women-led business across the continent.

“We are delighted to bring together women’s business associations from across Africa to advance intra‑African trade. This Network underpins ITC’s broader efforts through SheTrades and One Trade Africa to create real market access for women-led enterprises,” ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo said.

Ms. Malwela affirmed the Association’s ability to tackle key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. “Women entrepreneurs face a multitude of challenges, primarily revolving around access to funding and financial resources, gender bias and discrimination, work-life balance, and establishing strong support networks and confidence. Oftentimes, these hurdles impede their ability to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. As the Association looks to the future, we will seize opportunities to advance policies that address these challenges,” Ms. Malwela said.