Why Gender Inclusion Is Critical for Africa’s Trade Growth.

The future of Africa’s multi-trillion-dollar trade ambition rests squarely on the shoulders of its women entrepreneurs, according to leaders and trade diplomats at the 2025 Market Access Summit. 

Convened in Nairobi during Business Week Afrika, the summit brought together various institutions including UN Women, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), business diplomats, and entrepreneurs from across Africa.

The summit focused on the critical challenge of reimagining market access amidst digital disruption and the activation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). While the continent looks to create a single market of 1.4 billion people, speakers highlighted that systemic barriers continue to lock out the primary economic drivers, women and youth.

Dan Bazira, Deputy Country Representative for UN Women Kenya, highlighted the disconnect between women’s economic contribution and their access to resources. "Globally, women-owned businesses contribute trillions to GDP," Mr. Bazira noted, "yet they face systemic barriers: limited access to finance and markets, restrictive trade policies, and inadequate representation in decision-making spaces." He cited Kenyan data showing that only seven per cent of women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) secure formal finance.

Mr. Bazira affirmed that UN Women is committed to creating policy ecosystems where trade agreements "include gender-specific provisions," urging attendees, "Let us make trade a force for equality, prosperity, and transformation."

The High Commission of Pakistan's Consular Commercial Counsellor, Adeela Younis, challenged entrepreneurs to assume leadership positions by providing a compelling global viewpoint. She emphasized the stark gender gap in labor force participation around the world, where 80% of men and only 15% of women are economically active.

H.E. Ambassador Demeke Atnafu, Deputy Head of Mission of Ethiopia, centered his focus to continental integration, criticizing the tendency of African nations to seek trade partners overseas while ignoring massive opportunities next door.

Ambassador Atnafu detailed Ethiopia’s new dedication to the AfCFTA, confirming the country had made its first export to Kenya via road transport under the new framework. He pointed to the liberalization of previously closed sectors, noting the success of Safaricom's entry, which invested $1.2 billion and now has 10.5 million subscribers. He urged African businesses to take advantage of his nation's 113 Million strong consumer market and improving logistics.

"I strongly advise you to seek first your neighbors, access to the greenery of your neighbors, rather than eventually far away," he concluded, pushing for urgent B2B trade delegations.

Elizabeth Obanda, Women's Economic Empowerment Lead at UN Women Kenya, emphasized that systemic access requires personal accountability and initiative from entrepreneurs.

She noted the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and repositioned the AfCFTA as the central opportunity, challenging businesses directly: "Are you aware of what AFTA has to offer? Do you know what it is? That it is in a space that brings together about 1.3 billion people?"

Ms. Obanda reminded business owners of the substantial, unutilized government procurement quotas, where 30% of contracts are set aside for women and persons with disability. She stressed the importance of being networked and prepared: “Are you in the right place? Have you linked yourself up with those portals?”

The Access Market Summit ended with a definitive call to action. The tools for prosperity from simplified border trade and the AfCFTA’s $3.4 trillion GDP potential to domestic procurement quotas, are now available. However, the onus is now on two groups: policymakers to actively dismantle remaining barriers, and entrepreneurs to be "aggressive, networked, and seek knowledge.