Accra, 19 March 2025. Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare joined senior representatives from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Centre d’étude et de coopération internationale (CECI) and TradeMark Africa for the launch of a project that targets Women Traders across 6 countries in West Africa. The colourful event marked the official kick-off of activities for the CAD$ 19.7 million Making Trade Work for Women in West Africa (MTW) project that will be implemented in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo and Nigeria.
The project’s strategy, to be implemented by CECI and TMA through 2030, includes use of digital tools, financial literacy programmes, and advocacy for gender-responsive trade policies. Additionally, it intends to institutionalise impactful innovations within regional economic plans and strategies, ultimately contributing to inclusive, environmentally sustainable growth. These efforts will address identified economic and social disparities by promoting sustainable trade practices that uplift marginalised groups, with a particular focus on women. Presently, women continue to earn lower incomes, run smaller-scale businesses compared to their male counterparts, face harassment, gender-based violence (GBV), and systemic barriers at border crossings. These issues are exacerbated by women’s additional burdens of productive and reproductive roles. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of women traders, enhance their access to markets, and promote sustainable business practices.
Making Trade Work for Women in West Africa will directly impact an estimated 80,000 beneficiaries, 70% being women traders. It will also indirectly benefit around 20,000 additional traders and sensitise more than 50,000 individuals through various campaigns. Expected outcomes are:
- Number of women traders using sustainable practices increased by 50%.
- Income levels of participating women traders enhanced by 40%.
- Broad dissemination of knowledge and good practices on women, trade, environmental sustainability, and climate change across Africa and Canada.
This partnership comes at a strategic point in time when Canada has just released its new foreign policy – Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security – that represents a strengthening of Canada’s engagement with Africa. Canada is committing to promoting local benefits in Africa alongside advancing its own trade and investment priorities, and to work with African partners across strategic areas aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, including through sustainable economic growth.
