The Women in Trade panel was a dynamic and insightful session that focused on empowering women entrepreneurs, enhancing access to finance, and enabling market expansion. The session was officially opened with remarks by Elizabeth Wasuna of ABSA Bank, setting a strong foundation for discussions on inclusive economic participation.
The panel was skillfully moderated by Rose Rono, Founder of Trade Smart Consult, and featured a diverse lineup of influential speakers and leaders from across the globe.
Laure Paugam, Executive Director of the French Chamber of Commerce in Kenya, emphasized the critical need to improve access to finance for women in business. She also highlighted initiatives by the French Chamber such as the Women in Business Club, which offers market intelligence, mentorship programs, and support networks to women entrepreneurs. Laure also announced the launch of a new Euro Chamber, which aims to advocate for policies that support women in trade and promote equitable participation in international markets.
Zainab discussed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), sharing key insights and practical examples that demonstrate how women entrepreneurs can leverage the agreement to expand into new regional markets.
Marie-Christine Oghly, First Vice Chair of the World Chambers Federation (WCF), expressed concern over the underrepresentation of women in earlier summit sessions and proposed the establishment of a Women’s Council within the WCF. She announced that elections for this council will be held soon and encouraged women to vie for leadership roles within their respective chambers of commerce. Marie-Christine emphasized the importance of mentorship, private sector partnerships—particularly with banks—and capacity building through programs like Isoko and TradeMark Africa.
Rim Siam, President of the Economic Business Women Council at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, echoed the significance of capacity building. She stressed the importance of equipping women with practical tools, such as contract drafting skills and knowledge of global trading systems, to expand their businesses internationally.
Hon. Susan Auma Mang’eni, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development in Kenya, recognized the significant role women play in the MSME sector. She highlighted several government initiatives including:
•The Private-Public Sector MSME Dialogue Platform, co-chaired by representatives from both sectors;
•The launch of inter-governmental dialogues to streamline business licensing;
•An upcoming national MSME survey to provide updated data;
•The Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Hustler Fund, which are enabling MSMEs—49% of whom are women—to build creditworthiness without relying on traditional collateral. The Hustler Fund is accessible via *254#.
The session concluded with a resounding call to action: to continue investing in women through targeted programs, partnerships, and policy frameworks that unlock their full economic potential across local, regional, and international markets.