TMEA to build capacity for women entrepreneurs, informal cross border traders in South Sudan

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TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and the Government of South Sudan launched a capacity building program that will benefit women entrepreneurs and informal women cross border traders. 

The Women in Trade Programme is a 9-month programme and is funded by Global Affairs Canada through regional trade agency TradeMark East Africa. The programme will train women across the borders of Nimule, Kaya and Nadapal and will focus on improving the trading environment for women in trade as well as build business capacity of women traders, SMEs and Cooperatives.

Through the Programme, TradeMark East Africa seeks to increase incomes and improve livelihoods for women traders and women-owned enterprises through capacity building, addressing trade barriers and advocacy for policies that will create an enabling environment for women traders and women-led SMEs. This is part of a larger initiative by TMEA to tackle poverty and reduce inequality through increased trade and competitiveness. The expected end of programme outcome is Increased Social and Economic Empowerment of Women Traders in Eastern Africa.

The programs key objectives are to increase income from trade, increase the capacity of women to participate in trade and promote the rights of women in trade while reducing their vulnerability to violence and exploitation. The training will be undertaken by AMSCO Development Ltd, a pan African private sector development company.