Women-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda are gearing up to tap into fresh opportunities through the Women Export Acceleration Programme (WEAP) in response to the challenges posed by the loss of markets, particularly under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Spearheaded by the African Women Agribusiness Network (AWAN) and supported by the Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFOC), the initiative aims to equip women entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to access international markets.
As of 2023, Uganda had exported approximately 8.2 million dollars worth of goods to the U.S under AGOA. However, with the closure of this significant market, there is a compelling need for alternative strategies. Ms. Joyce Atuhaire, the country director of AWAN in Kampala, emphasized the urgency, stating, “Uganda is losing some markets, especially AGOA; we have lost that huge market.”
The Women Export Acceleration Programme seeks to address these challenges by providing export readiness support services. Ms. Atuhaire highlighted the importance of tapping into new markets and creating inclusive opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The collaboration with TFOC is envisioned to mitigate obstacles such as a lack of information and limited access to markets and finance.
Mr. Olivier Musafiri, the Project Manager of Africa at TFOC, outlined the mission to empower small and medium enterprises for international trade. He explained that while market access is the ultimate goal, a preparatory phase is crucial. The project will commence with 22 modules covering essential aspects, including packaging, labeling, pricing, and marketing strategy.
Importantly, the initiative is not confined to Canadian markets alone but envisions opening doors to various parts of the world. The project will offer a platform for women to showcase their products in Canada in May, providing 100 women-led SMEs with essential export information and training. However, only 15 of these businesses will have the opportunity to travel to Canada for an expo.
