Warehouse Receipt System Council

The Africa Women in Trade Forum 2026 concluded on a high note with a colourful gala dinner and awards ceremony celebrating the achievements, leadership and contributions of women in advancing trade and economic development across the African continent. The event was graced by Her Excellency Amb. Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, EGH, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Nairobi and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In her keynote address, Amb. Dr. Ida underscored the importance of empowering women-led enterprises emphasizing on grassroot inclusion of women in policy formation programs. Further, Amb. Ida highlighted the need for peer empowerment and mentorship programs for the upcoming entrepreneurs. Speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, joined other distinguished guests in celebrating the achievements of women entrepreneurs and trade leaders, reaffirming the importance of creating an enabling environment for women-led businesses to thrive and access opportunities across the continent. The gala dinner provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and impact in various sectors of trade and economic enterprise. Awards were presented across several categories to honour women whose contributions continue to shape Africa’s trade landscape. The Best African Woman in International Trade award went to Lucia Namubiru from Uganda, who also serves as President of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT), Uganda Chapter. The recognition celebrated her leadership and contribution to promoting women's participation in international trade. The gala dinner brought together Chief Executive Officers of Government agencies, women leaders, entrepreneurs and traders from across Africa, senior Government officials and other stakeholders in the trade ecosystem. The four-day Forum provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, networking and business linkages which will address barriers facing women in trade while unlocking opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The second day of the Africa Women in Trade Forum (AWTF) 2026 focused on practical strategies to help women-led enterprises access markets, secure financing and expand cross-border trade. The Business Summit explored how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can translate into tangible opportunities for women entrepreneurs through improved market access, reliable trade information, stronger business networks and institutional support. Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina A. Ombam, emphasised the importance of strengthening intra-African trade, noting that “Inclusive trade outcomes are not incidental; they must be intentionally engineered.” A subsequent roundtable examined export readiness, product standards, regulatory compliance and cross-border trade procedures, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between government policies and the practical realities faced by businesses entering new markets. The discussions underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to remove barriers to trade and enable women-led enterprises to contribute more effectively to Africa’s economic transformation. Further, during the plenary discussions, the importance of accessible information, coordinated institutional support and business-friendly systems that enable women entrepreneurs to participate more effectively in regional and international trade was emphasized. Representing the Chief Guest, Kenya’s First Lady, Her Excellency Rachael Ruto, Joyful Woman Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Elizabeth Koskei, challenged stakeholders to prioritise measurable results, particularly in business growth and job creation. Present at the forum was Ms.Regina Mwikali, Chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake, representatives of government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, traders from across Africa and officials from the State Department for Trade.