The iSOKO Sustainability Workshop marked the successful closeout of the Making Trade Work for Women in East Africa program—an initiative that has transformed the landscape for women traders across the region. The workshop served as a platform for reflection, knowledge-sharing, and charting the way forward for sustainable women-led trade.

Bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the event welcomed representatives from the Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi Chambers of Commerce, iSOKO beneficiary SMEs, cross-border trade associations, and TradeMark Africa. Together, they assessed the program’s impact, discussed challenges, and explored opportunities for scaling up digital trade solutions for women entrepreneurs.

Key Highlights & Takeaways

✅ Empowering Women Through Digital Trade: iSOKO has played a pivotal role in enabling women traders to expand their market reach, leverage digital platforms, and actively engage in cross-border trade.

✅ Sustainability & Future Growth: Discussions focused on strategies to scale iSOKO beyond East Africa, integrate digital payment solutions, enhance logistics, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

✅ Strengthening Regional Collaboration: The workshop underscored the importance of fostering partnerships between chambers of commerce, policymakers, and trade facilitators to streamline cross-border trade for women entrepreneurs.

A significant highlight was the recognition of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) by TradeMark Africa for its exceptional contribution to the program. This acknowledgment reinforces KNCCI’s commitment to championing digital trade solutions that empower women-led enterprises.

As the workshop concluded, a resounding call to action emerged: Sustain the momentum—keep driving digital innovation to unlock new opportunities for women in trade!