On 27 July, GIZ and the East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP) held a meeting to mark the signing of a financing agreement between both parties. The joint EAC and GIZ “Support to East African Integration” programme (SEAMPEC II) is partnering with EAWiBP to enhance the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the EAC and AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) regional integration.
During the meeting, SEAMPEC II Advisor, Mr. Marius Weist, noted the importance of building the capacity of women entrepreneurs who participate in cross-border trade in the EAC and AfCFTA region. He highlighted the relevance of sensitizing women in informal cross-border trade on the existent Simplified Trade Regime and border procedures that can support their trade and boost intra-EAC and continental trade.
EAWiBP Coordinator, Ms. Janice Kimaru, welcomed the partnership as a timely intervention that will help women participating in trade in goods in the region to do so effectively. She also thanked the GIZ for its continued support to EAC women in trade and encouraged further collaboration between the two organizations.
SEAMPEC II aims to support women in business through awareness workshops on the opportunities under the AfCFTA. Women in cross-border trade experience challenges that restrict their access in the regional and continental market opportunities such as limited access to trade-related information, affordable finance, discrimination, and social norms. This partnership aims to identify the challenges facing women-owned SMEs and provide policy recommendations for the EAC integration process that can be used to further support them under the AfCFTA.
Find more information on SEAMPEC II here