Member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been urged to implement policies aimed at removing barriers that prevent women entrepreneurs from actively participating in global trade. The call was made by Ghana's Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) Executive Masterclass held in Accra. The event was part of activities marking the Second ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar and Extraordinary Session.
Dr Lartey identified limited access to finance and digital technologies as major barriers constraining the growth of women-owned businesses. She emphasized the need for an enabling environment that would allow women entrepreneurs to thrive in the region and compete effectively in international markets. According to her, women across the sub-region contribute significantly to economic development but face persistent barriers that limit their growth.
Dr Lartey called for creative and enabling environments that would allow women-owned businesses to formalize, scale up, and fully participate in regional and global value chains. She proposed strengthening the capacity of women entrepreneurs, expanding their access to finance, and creating sustainable initiatives to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women entrepreneurs. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is working with stakeholders to strengthen economic opportunities for women and girls through the National Gender Policy 2025–2030 framework.
The Second Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mrs Adjaratou Traore Coulibaly, said promoting women’s participation in trade would enable them to become economically autonomous and contribute significantly to development. She represented the Speaker, Mrs Memounatou Ibrahima, at the event. The First Vice-President of ECOFEPA, Mrs Zainab Gimba, urged women across West Africa to transform growing trade opportunities into sustainable businesses, jobs, and greater economic influence.
The Head of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Liaison Office, Mrs Hamadou Karidio, urged ECOWAS member states to ratify the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade. This would enable them to benefit fully from the AfCFTA agreement. She identified non-tariff barriers, limited access to finance, and high transportation costs as some of the challenges confronting women engaged in trade.
The chairperson of the Women’s Caucus of the Parliament of Ghana and MP for Ada, Mrs Comfort Doyoe, urged women legislators to advocate policies that removed barriers to women’s participation in trade. The ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) Executive Masterclass was held on the theme: “Advancing Women’s Participation in Global Trade for Political Readiness and Export Opportunities in the ECOWAS Region.”
Dr Lartey stressed that translating economic policy commitments into tangible and sustainable improvements in the livelihoods and businesses of women required stronger collaboration among institutions. She also emphasized the need to adequately prepare women to participate effectively in trade and ensure equal access to digital tools and technologies. The event aimed to promote women's participation in global trade and address the challenges they face.
Key points
- ECOWAS member states are urged to implement policies to support women entrepreneurs in global trade.
- Limited access to finance and digital technologies are major barriers to women-owned businesses.
- Women legislators are urged to advocate policies that remove barriers to women’s participation in trade.
