What's Happening?
The International Trade Centre (ITC), through its SheTrades Gambia Hub, and The Gambia's Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE) have reaffirmed their dedication to supporting women entrepreneurs. This renewed commitment
was announced during the Stakeholders’ SheTrades Forum 2026, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. The forum, co-organized by MoTIE and the Women Business Advisory Group, gathered 72 participants from government, development partners, financial institutions, private sector, and women entrepreneurs. The event focused on 'Building Partnerships – Unlocking Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs Shaping The Gambia’s Trade Future,' aiming to strengthen collaboration, mobilize resources, and consolidate efforts to boost women's participation in national and international trade. The SheTrades Gambia Hub currently assists 181 women-led enterprises with capacity-building, market access, and business development services. Testimonials at the forum highlighted business expansion, increased export activities, and improved market access for beneficiaries.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial for fostering economic growth and gender equality in The Gambia. By strengthening support for women entrepreneurs, the ITC and MoTIE are directly addressing key barriers such as limited access to finance, trade facilitation constraints, and the need for more gender-responsive procurement systems. Empowering women in business can lead to significant economic benefits, including job creation, increased household income, and diversified export markets. The focus on regional and international trade opportunities, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, can help Gambian women-led businesses become more competitive on a global scale. This collaborative approach, involving various stakeholders, is essential for creating a sustainable ecosystem that enables women-owned businesses to thrive and contribute substantially to the nation's economic development.
What's Next?
The forum concluded with a call for continued collective action among government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector. The goal is to create a more inclusive trade environment that empowers women entrepreneurs and contributes to The Gambia’s economic growth. Future efforts will likely focus on implementing the identified opportunities for enhanced collaboration and addressing persistent challenges. This includes working towards better access to finance, streamlining trade facilitation processes, and promoting gender-responsive procurement. Increased awareness and utilization of opportunities under the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade will also be a key area of focus to ensure women entrepreneurs can fully leverage regional trade agreements.
Beyond the Headlines
The commitment to women entrepreneurs in The Gambia reflects a broader global trend towards inclusive economic development. By targeting women-led businesses, the ITC and MoTIE are not only promoting economic empowerment but also addressing systemic inequalities that often hinder women's participation in the formal economy. This initiative can serve as a model for other developing nations seeking to harness the economic potential of their female population. The emphasis on sustainable partnerships and coordinated action highlights the understanding that complex development challenges require multi-faceted solutions involving various actors. Furthermore, the integration of women into regional and international trade networks can lead to greater economic resilience and diversification for The Gambia, reducing its reliance on traditional sectors and fostering innovation.
