Contribution: International Development Assistance Program

The project will bring down barriers faced by women traders in West Africa, and ensure that benefits from trade liberalization are inclusive, sustainable, and accrue to all. It will enable equitable access to trading opportunities by eliminating gender-based barriers that prevent women from benefiting from the full potential of trade as framed by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Over a period of six years (2023-2024 to 2028-2029), the project expects to reach an estimated 80,000 direct beneficiaries, of which at least 70% are expected to be women and 20% youth.

The project was designed in response to the aforementioned challenges faced by women in trade in West Africa to ensure that the benefits from trade liberalization and trade facilitation are inclusive and sustainable. The project will support equitable access to trading opportunities by working to eliminate the gender-based barriers that prevent women from exploiting the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The project will contribute to efforts to ensure that economic growth is inclusive and environmentally sustainable, and that it empowers vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly women traders, youth, and people with disabilities. Over a period of six years, the project expects to reach an estimated 80,000 direct beneficiaries, including at least 70% women traders.

The main purpose on the International Development Assistance Program is to reduce poverty for those living in countries where Global Affairs Canada engages in international development.

L’objectif princial du programme d’aide au développement international du Ministère est de réduire la pauvreté pour les populations qui vivent dans les pays où Affaires mondiales Canada se livre au développement international.