A powerful new force in African commerce took shape in Johannesburg with the official launch of the Continental Network for Women’s Business Associations in Africa (CONWOBAA).
This pan-African alliance unites 102 women-led business groups from across six regions of the continent, aiming to accelerate intra-African trade and empower female entrepreneurs under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the African Union Commission, CONWOBAA positions itself at the forefront of Africa’s trade transformation by providing women entrepreneurs with greater market access and collaborative opportunities. South African business leader Dimakatso Malwela was appointed chair of the association, while Ghana’s Mabel Quarshie, CEO of Acquatic Foods Limited, takes the role of Secretary. The network’s board draws representatives from Comoros, Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, and ten other nations, reflecting a broad and inclusive continental reach.
Dorothy Tembo, ITC’s Deputy Executive Director, underscored the network’s significance within ITC’s SheTrades initiative: “This network creates real market access for women-led enterprises.” The launch sets the stage for targeted efforts to dismantle longstanding barriers to women’s economic empowerment.
Chairperson Malwela highlighted key challenges facing women entrepreneurs: “Funding gaps, gender bias, and weak support networks impede business growth. We’ll advance policies tackling these barriers.” The network aims to facilitate cross-border trade and sustainable business development by leveraging AfCFTA frameworks to nurture a supportive ecosystem for women-led enterprises.
Aligned with African Union guidelines promoting women’s economic participation, CONWOBAA’s launch also complements Ghana’s national agenda under President Mahama, which emphasizes gender-inclusive growth following recent fiscal reforms. Analysts predict the network could significantly strengthen supply chains in agriculture and manufacturing—sectors vital to AfCFTA’s success.
As CONWOBAA takes root, it signals a promising future for women entrepreneurs across Africa, poised to drive economic growth and reshape continental trade dynamics.
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