The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and TradeMark Africa (TMA), has launched a significant four-year fisheries program aimed at empowering women and youth in several African countries.
These include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Nigeria and other selected Island states.
This initiative, titled “Women and Youth Economic Empowerment in Fisheries,” targets creating over 240,000 job opportunities and boosting fish trade by about $100 million by 2028.
The program is aligned with the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade and aims to address the structural challenges that women and youth face in the fisheries value chain.
It will provide training, facilitate access to markets and finance, catalyse supply chain linkages, create digital solutions, simplify trade regimes, enhance compliance to standards, and enable streamlined cross-border market access.
Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, emphasised the program’s potential to promote inclusive economic development and eliminate trade barriers for women and young people in Africa.
“The AfCFTA presents huge opportunities while promoting entrepreneurship and job creation in a market of 1.4 billion people,” Mene stated.
The AfCFTA’s Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade has been developed to boost inclusive economic development by eliminating barriers to trade for women and young people in Africa.
“We are glad the program aligns with our vision of bringing this marginalised group along on this journey to increase intra-Africa trade in ‘Creating One African Market’ to ensure prosperity for all Africans. We encourage the potential beneficiaries to take advantage of this program,” he added.
The program, unveiled during the 14th Meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible for Trade in Zanzibar, is a culmination of collaborative efforts between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Mastercard Foundation.
This initiative is part of the AfCFTA private sector strategy, which identified priority value chains to boost intra-Africa trade and production.
TMA will implement the program to benefit Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Uganda and other selected countries.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Allen Sophia Asiimwe, highlighted the program’s importance in supporting inclusive trade and economic empowerment.
“The start of this program is an important step forward in our support for inclusive trade, economic empowerment, and sustainable job creation for women and youth in Africa’s fisheries sector.
Addressing the structural barriers unique to women and young people in the fish value chain is a critical necessity to enhance the participation and competitiveness of program participants in the sector.
With this collaborative effort, the sector will be better positioned as a pathway for economic growth, food security, and poverty alleviation in Africa,” Asiimwe said.
Daniel Hailu, Executive Director of Pan-African Programs at the Mastercard Foundation, also noted the program’s potential to strengthen intra-African trade and contribute to economic growth and poverty alleviation.
“This program has the potential to catalyse dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young men and women, strengthen intra-African trade, and contribute to economic growth and poverty alleviation. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more equitable and sustainable future for all,” Hailu stated.
The fisheries program is a hope for Uganda and other participating countries, promising a brighter future for women and youth through economic empowerment and enhanced trade opportunities.
SOURCE: Science Africa
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