Juba, November 19th 2015: TradeMark Africa (TMA) has committed USD$ 400,000 to support South Sudanese women entrepreneurs in South Sudan. TMA made this announcement while signing Memorandums of Understanding with the South Sudan Women Entrepreneurs Association and the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs, who will be the main implementers of the interventions. The signing ceremony was held on Wednesday at Crown Hotel in Juba, and was graced by Undersecretary for Finance, Wani Buyu Dyori.

Mr. Wani Buyu commended TMA for the continued partnership with the government of South Sudan in trade remarking, “We are very happy to be part of this important endeavour which I believe is going to help our women who are in need of such programmes.
Our gratitude goes to TradeMark Africa for their generous support.” Speaking during the event, TMA Country Director John Bosco said the fund will benefit national Women Entrepreneurs Association (WEAs) and Women Informal Cross Border Traders (WICBT) in Nimule and Juba; as well as Women Entrepreneurs/ light processors with growth potential in Nimule and parts of Central and Western Equatoria.
Project interventions will adopt wholesome approach and will respond to both demand and supply issues affecting women traders in South Sudan through 3 different components. Firstly, creating an enabling environment for women traders by lobbying of policy makers and service institutions to the constraints undermining women’s businesses.

Secondly, strengthening the capacity of WEAs to advocate for women traders’ interests and concerns this will be achieved through training and giving technical assistance and thirdly, enhancing women traders’ knowledge of border regulations and capacity to benefit from existing regional trade opportunities.
The representatives of the two partner organizations exuded optimism toward the project and its potential to enable women increase their incomes and those of their families. “The promotion of the women in business is important if our country is to experience economic transformation because women plays a critical role in job creation and poverty reduction“, Simon Akuei-Secretary General, Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Industry.
The project is part of an EAC-wide women’s approach under which TMA is partnering with women traders to help them increase their participation in the economies of their countries and know and realise their rights under EAC legislation.

Source: TradeMark Africa (TMA)

TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.