We are excited to share the impactful results of a collaborative project between the KVP Project, sponsored by German Corporation, and the Badagry Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BACCIMA) Women in Business Committee, led by Mrs Ngozi Modebelu. This project focused on a workshop series titled "Women in Business Training Series on Export under AfCFTA: All Necessities," designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Challenge: AfCFTA presents a tremendous opportunity for businesses across Africa, but women entrepreneurs often face unique challenges in accessing export markets. This workshop series aimed to bridge this gap by providing them with the necessary tools and resources.
The Solution: The KVP Project, represented by Victor Adegoke with BACCIMA, facilitated a workshop series led by Dr. John Isemede and Engr. Seton Senu, FITD. The curriculum focused on two key areas:
• Understanding AfCFTA: Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of AfCFTA's benefits, trade rules, and procedures.
• Leveraging Digital Tools: We equipped them with the knowledge and skills to leverage digital tools for export success under AfCFTA. This included exploring e-commerce platforms, digital payment solutions, and logistics management solutions.
The Impact: The workshop series was a resounding success, with a high level of participation and positive feedback from women entrepreneurs. Here are some key highlights:
• Increased Awareness: Participants gained valuable insights into AfCFTA's opportunities and the digital tools available to support their export journeys.
• Enhanced Skills: The workshops provided hands-on training on utilizing e-commerce platforms, navigating digital payments, and managing logistics within AfCFTA.
• Empowering Women: The project empowered women entrepreneurs to take advantage of AfCFTA and expand their businesses into new markets across Africa.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful exports by Nigerian MSMEs, highlighting best practices and lessons learned.
• Group Activities: Collaborative exercises where participants researched a product or service that can be considered under AfCFTA, identified countries where those products and services will be needed, market Entry Strategies and also IT Tools to be used and how those tools can contribute to the success of these businesses
The group assignment provided real-world examples, allowing participants to visualize the practical application of IT within AfCFTA.
Moving Forward: The success of this workshop series reinforces the importance of equipping women with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in the AfCFTA era. We are committed to continuing this collaboration with BACCIMA and exploring further initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs in the region.
Call to Action:
• Are you a woman entrepreneur looking to explore AfCFTA opportunities?
• Are you an organization interested in supporting women in export?
Let's connect in the comments below to discuss how we can work together to unlock the full potential of AfCFTA for women-owned businesses in Africa!
#AfCFTA #WomenInBusiness #Export #DigitalTools #BACCIMA #KVPProject #GermanChamber #GZI #Sequa #NACCIMA
