The desire to unlock the $22billion investment opportunities within the African subregion has compelled the womenfolk to also become active participants in regional trade in the continent.
To achieve this desired objective, Compass Global with support from Afrexim Bank and the ECOWAS Commission hosted the West Meets East Trade Mission/Business Development Tour at the Female Leaders & Entrepreneurs AfCFTA conference (FLEC) in Nairobi, Kenya, recently.
The event drew 40 West Africa delegates including Presidents of Women Business Networks and Associations and SMEs from across key sectors of agribusiness, manufacturing and services from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Benin Republic, Liberia, Cape Verde, Cameroun.
A total of 50 exhibitors made up of businesses/SMEs across West & East Africa showcased at the exhibition.
Justifying the need for the event, the Convener, Mrs. Tokunbo Chiedu, CEO Compass Global, the 2023 edition of FLEC hosts the West Meets East Africa Trade Mission & Business Development Tour, said, it offered a unique opportunity to showcase the regional value proposition of the East & West of Africa, whilst creating a platform to explore and develop opportunities and foster partnerships between players across the regions; towards unlocking the $22 billion Intra Africa Trade opportunities and against the backdrop of the AfCFTA.
This endeavour, therefore, connected counterparts from West to players across East Africa via a series of Private Sector Led engagements.Institutional support and organised private sector backing for this process is being provided by the Federation of West Africa Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI), which was represented at the events by Mr Aminou Akadiri, Executive Director.
Lauding the formidable leadership of Mrs. Angela Ajala, the National Coordinator of the Association of Nigeria Women’s Business Networks for its support, Mrs. Chiedu noted she mobilised members of its coalition from across the Federation to take part in this inaugural trade mission connect West & East Africa.
The ANWBN Coalition Members in attendance included: Deputy National Coordinator ANWBN Otunba Gbemisola Oduntan, President Commonwealth Women’s Business Council Africa – Mrs Noxie Oyewole, President Akoko Chamber of Commerce – Dr Funmilola Williams Daudu, National Vice President Naccimma Women’s Business Group – Mrs Funmilayo Ade – Ojo, and the President of Better Life Foundation – Hajia Sameera Abubakar.Iyalode Alaba Lawson MFR, Fiod – President ECOWAS Federation of Business Women Entrepreneurs (FEBWE NIGERIA) led the delegation for the ECOWAS Region which comprised of ECOWAS FEBWE counterparts and delegates from different West Africa Countries including: Madam Beatrice Koko Kallay – Gambia, Consul General Sierra Leone High Commission – Nigeria, Madam Ndey Contey Jallow Gambia, Madam Larissa Mafouku Talla- Past President Junior Chamber International Cameroon.East Africa Players represented at the event include: Mr, Kudakwashe Matereke, Afreximbank Regional Chief Operating Officer, East Africa, Moses Kanyesigye-Head of SMEs, Women and Youth, East African Business Council, Elizabeth Thande Chairperson, East Africa Women in Business Platform (EAWIBP), Nancy Gitonga, East Africa Community, Regional Institute for Women – East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP), Ambassador Josephine Ojiambo President Commonwealth Business Women Network International , Janice Kimaro EAWIBP Coordinator, Pauline Okubasu President OWIT, Kenya, Mary Ngechu – MD Line Plast Group of Companies/Goodwill Ambassador & Representative from Federation of SMEs in Kenya, and Nana Wanjau President Commonwealth Business Women Network, Kenya.