Project Brief
Women in Trade - Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce Project
Implementation Partners
· Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) – lead implementing partner
· Equality for Growth (EfG)
· Young Women Entrepreneurs (YWE)
· Zanzibar Women Chamber of Commerce (ZWCC)
Implementation Period
2018-2027
Project Participants
Women traders, processors, producers, and women cross-border traders in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar
Project Value
$ 5.037 Million
Project Rationale
Women are central to Tanzania’s economy -particularly in informal and cross-border trade yet face persistent barriers: limited access to market information and training, gender-based discrimination, complex regulatory requirements, and low levels of business formalisation. TMA supported TWCC to address these constraints by strengthening women’s capacities, improving access to markets and certification, and amplifying women’s voice in trade policy and regulatory processes. The intervention is designed to deliver inclusive, competitive trade outcomes and expand women’s participation in formal and cross-border commerce.
Target Results
- Strengthened policy, regulatory, and legal environment supporting women in trade
- Increased access to trade support services and markets for women traders
- Growth in regional exports among supported cross-border traders
- Higher number of certified women-led products and businesses
- Expanded formalisation of women-owned enterprises
- Enhanced institutional capacity of women’s organisations to influence trade policy
- Increased participation of women in public procurement and cross-border trade
Implementation Strategy
The project integrated capacity development, advocacy, institutional strengthening, and market access interventions through interconnected approaches:
- Training and Skills Development: Training women traders on EAC trade rules, customs procedures, business management, compliance, and product standards – including tailored support delivered during COVID-19.
- Formalisation and Certification: Supporting business registration, Tanzania Bureau of Standards certification, and GS1 product barcoding to enable access to formal and regulated markets.
- Policy and Advocacy: Developing studies and policy briefs on gender-related trade barriers and supporting evidence-based advocacy with government and Parliament.
- Market Access and Visibility: Facilitating participation in trade fairs, business-to-business forums, and national visibility platforms to expand market reach.
- Institutional Strengthening: Building the governance, advocacy capacity, and long-term sustainability of TWCC and partner organisations to represent members effectively
Elibariki Shammy – Country Director, Tanzania
Email: elibariki.shammy@trademarkafrica.com