UN to train East African women, youth entrepreneurs on AFCFTA opportunities

The East African Business Council (EABC) said Tuesday it has partnered with three UN agencies to train women and youth in the East African region on trade opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA). The EABC, which is based in Arusha, Tanzania, in a statement mentioned the UN agencies as the International Trade Center, the UN Development Program and the UN Women.

The statement said the EABC and the three UN agencies would hold a threeday workshop in the Ugandan capital of Kampala from Sept. 20-22, where more than 70 representatives from the region's business community would learn about the AFCFTA and gain insight on the status of negotiations as well as the progress made on implementing the trade agreement.

The statement said the workshop also provided participants with a comprehensive toolkit on how best to tailor their services to drive business competitiveness under a new liberalized African market. "Micro, small and medium-sized companies especially women and youth entrepreneurs will benefit when the institutions within Africa's business ecosystems are strengthened to respond to their emerging needs and advocate for their interests," said the statement.

It also said representatives of micro, small and medium-sized companies from other regional economic trade blocs present at the workshop aimed at fostering crossregional networking among businesses took the opportunity by showcasing their products at the event.

John Kalisa, the EABC chief executive officer, called for the need to improve the caliber of East African businesses in preparation for greater competition brought about by the AFCFTA and boost productivity in the region.

Kalisa said the AFCFTA offers a market of 1.3 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of 3.4 trillion U.S. dollars and its implementation will lift 100 million Africans out of poverty.