Tradesmart Consult Ltd is proud to be part of a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in Kenya to access international markets. On April 23, 2024, we attended the CBI Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Leadership Alignment Workshop at Upper Hill, Nairobi. This workshop is a significant step toward addressing the gender-specific barriers that women face in the export sector.
Background & Rationale
Women entrepreneurs often encounter a range of challenges in their internationalization efforts, including gender-related biases, regulatory hurdles, and limited access to financial capital. As a result, women are less likely to participate in cross-border trading compared to men. To tackle these issues, the WEE project, running from 2021 to 2026, aims to strengthen women’s ability to make strategic choices and take decisive actions in their businesses.
Workshop Goals and Objectives
The workshop brought together key leaders from public and private trade support institutions to discuss the challenges faced by women exporters in Kenya. These challenges include:
- Lack of information on export processes
- Complex export procedures
- Difficulty in accessing finance
- Inadequate gender-responsive export business development services
By aligning the efforts of various stakeholders, the workshop sought to establish a commitment to support trade support institutions in becoming more gender-responsive. This initiative is crucial for increasing the participation of women entrepreneurs in international trade and leveraging opportunities under agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.
Key Takeaways
- Low Participation of Women Exporters: Only about 20% of exporters in Kenya are women. Addressing this gap requires tailored approaches to encourage more women to enter the export market.
- Women’s Leadership in the Export Sector: Increasing women’s participation in leadership roles within the export sector is essential. Providing a safe and supportive environment will enable women to take on these roles confidently.
- Financial Support for Women Exporters: Access to finance remains a significant barrier. Financial institutions need to develop propositions that address the specific needs of women-led enterprises.
- Support for MSMEs: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) led by women require targeted support and better packaging to thrive in the export market.
- Technological Integration: Embracing emerging technologies like blockchain can enhance traceability and support for women exporters, thereby improving market access.
- Sector-Specific Gender Dynamics: In sectors like manufacturing, women are actively involved in various stages of the value chain. There is a need to push for more women entrepreneurs to add greater value to the sector.
- Empowerment and Support: Empowering women through guarantee mechanisms, integrating men in the dialogue, and developing platforms for information sharing are crucial steps towards gender equality in the export sector.
Conclusion
The CBI WEE Leadership Alignment Workshop marked a significant milestone in our journey toward empowering women entrepreneurs in Kenya. By fostering an ecosystem of stakeholders committed to gender-responsive business support services, we can create an enabling environment for women to excel in international trade.
At Tradesmart Consult Ltd, we are dedicated to supporting this initiative and working closely with trade support institutions to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for women in the export sector.
Stay connected with us for more updates on our progress and upcoming initiatives. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of women entrepreneurs and contribute to the economic development of Kenya.
