Promoting Gender-responsive Public Procurement (GRPP) for Agricultural Products

Promoting Gender-responsive Public Procurement (GRPP) for Agricultural Products

Project Information

January 2026 – December 2027
Global
Sector:
Agriculture
Theme:
Public procurement

1

practical guide for farmer organizations in English and French

1

consultation with a regional farmer organization in Africa

1

position paper to advance inclusive policy reform in public procurement

1

practical guide for farmer organizations in English and French

1

consultation with a regional farmer organization in Africa

1

position paper to advance inclusive policy reform in public procurement

About the project

Governments buy agricultural products, but procurement rules and procedures can make it difficult for women smallholder farmers to compete for contracts. Farmers’ organizations can help their members access markets and represent their interests in policy discussions. Across Africa and Asia, these organizations can advocate for procurement reforms that address the barriers faced by women farmers.
 
ITC SheTrades is developing a guide and will deliver training to help these organizations advocate for gender-responsive public procurement. In Africa, we are also supporting farmers’ organizations to develop a joint position paper setting out their priorities and recommendations for reform.
 
The project builds on our work in Ecuador, which ran from December 2022 to June 2026. It is commissioned by the German government (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
What we are doing
  • An advocacy guide in English and French. The guide will set out policy options to improve women farmers’ access to public procurement and explain how to design and implement an advocacy campaign. It will draw on our experience in Ecuador and ITC’s toolkit for policymakers, Making Public Procurement Work for Women.
  • Consultation with farmers’ organizations. Leaders and members of the Network of Farmers’ Organizations and Agricultural Producers of West Africa (ROPPA), the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) and the Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) will identify the needs, challenges and priorities that will inform the guide and position paper. This will help the publication reflect the experiences of women smallholder farmers.
  • Training on procurement advocacy. Online training will bring together ROPPA, EAFF and AFA, and will be complemented by an in-person workshop in Africa with ROPPA and EAFF. Participants will learn how to make the case for inclusive procurement reform in their respective regions.
  • A position paper to advance policy reform in public procurement. Developed by ROPPA and EAFF with ITC’s support, the paper will set up African farmers’ organizations with recommendations for public procurement reform, including changes to address barriers faced by smallholder farmers, especially women. The paper will support the organizations’ advocacy efforts in national, regional and global policy discussions, including at forums such as the World Food Forum and the United Nations Food systems Summit.

Resources

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SheTrades and Visa Programme in sub-Saharan Africa

SheTrades and Visa Programme in sub-Saharan Africa

Project Information

August 2025 – December 2027
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector:
All sectors
Theme:
Digital skills

>$500k

in business and investment leads generated

1,768

participants engaged, 93% women, across 42 countries

281

jobs created and sustained

>$500k

in business and investment leads generated

1,768

participants engaged, 93% women, across 42 countries

281

jobs created and sustained

About the project

Sub-Saharan Africa’s economies are digitizing fast, but women and youth entrepreneurs are not getting the same lift. Access to financial products is limited, digital tools beyond mobile money are adopted widely enough, and connections to regional and international markets are thin. Mobile payment penetration is high in markets like Kenya and South Africa, but many businesses have yet to integrate AI, e-commerce or data analytics into their operations, leaving gaps in export competitiveness.

Since launching in July 2025, the SheTrades and Visa programme in sub-Saharan Africa has trained women entrepreneurs in digital and finance skills, refined their business models and connected them to local ecosystem partners. Across a six-part webinar series, an e-learning course on e-commerce and two in-person workshops in Johannesburg and Nairobi, we brought together 204 entrepreneurs.

In 2026, the programme continues and expands into Angola, as well as Ghana through partnership with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), host of the SheTrades Ghana Hub. Activities across the region will include webinar series, in-person workshops, and coaching covering financial literacy, digital payments and e-commerce.

The project is implemented by ITC SheTrades in partnership with Visa.
What we do
  • Six-part webinar series. 1,768 participants joined sessions on business models, AI and digital tools, budgeting, financial planning, digital payment solutions, and peer-to-peer learning networking. Microsoft, Visa, and Absa Bank each led thematic sessions.
  • In-person workshops in Johannesburg and Nairobi. Two-day workshop in each city covered business model design, financial planning, digital payments, AI tools and export readiness, with 74 participants in Johannesburg and 130 in Nairobi. The Nairobi event included an exhibition where participants showcased products.
  • E-learning course on e-commerce content creation. 95 participants completed a four-hour online course on creating content for virtual marketplaces, earning a UN certificate.
  • Coaching on business models and AI integration. Group sessions helped selected entrepreneurs revise their business models, integrate AI tools, and sharpen value propositions, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. The format combined coaching with peer feedback to translate learning into action.
  • Ecosystem connections for sustained support. SheTrades connected participants to SheTrades Hubs in South Africa and Kenya, where they continue to access training, market linkages, and advisory services.

Resources

Webinar

Digital Growth with Digital Payments
Digital Growth with Digital Payments
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SheTrades and UPS Women Exporters Programme 3.0

SheTrades and UPS Women Exporters Programme 3.0

Project Information

January 2019 – March 2029
Global
Sector:
All sectors
Theme:
Digital skills, Ecosystem engagement, Market access

$3.85M

in business and investment leads

12,918

participants engaged across 78 countries

4,390

nano and micro entrepreneurs trained in digital financial inclusion

$3.85M

in business and investment leads

12,918

participants engaged across 78 countries

4,390

nano and micro entrepreneurs trained in digital financial inclusion

About the project

Small businesses in Ghana, India, Mexico and Viet Nam have products and services to sell. But getting them across borders is a different matter. Access to finance is uneven, digital training is patchy, and connections to regional and international buyers remain thin.  The gaps are sharpest for entrepreneurs in the informal sector and for those at early stages of export readiness.
 
In Ghana, India, Mexico and Viet Nam, the ITC SheTrades and UPS Women Exporters Programme is working across three fronts: digital skills, market access and ecosystem engagement. We train entrepreneurs in AI tools, e-commerce, data analytics and digital financial inclusion; deliver in-person workshops; support them to participate in trade fairs, and coach selected businesses through digital transformation.
What we do
  • Digital skills and leadership in Ghana, Mexico and Viet Nam: We work with small businesses and young entrepreneurs to strengthen their digital capabilities, improve their online presence and adopt e-commerce platforms, digital payment solutions and emerging AI tools to grow their businesses. The programme adopts a blended curriculum, comprising online trainings, technical masterclasses and in-person workshops and personalized coaching.
  • Tailored coaching to turn skills into business growth: Selected businesses receive customized support focused on tangible areas such as digital maturity, e-commerce, store optimization, online marketing, payment gateways, customer loyalty strategies and digital business planning. In Ghana, 90% of coaching participants expanded their online presence, while 22% reported immediate revenue growth. In Mexico, 54% of coaching participants secured new commercial agreements.
  • Market access and buyer connections for businesses: The programme helps small businesses move from training to concrete market opportunities through trade fairs, B2B facilitation, buyer engagement and commercial follow-up. In Viet Nam, we took eight small businesses to the Viet Nam Food Expo 2025 with a co-branded SheTrades–UPS pavilion, pre-event coaching on trade fair readiness, and direct B2B meeting facilitation. All eight made new contacts and 88% closed new sales.
  • Digital financial inclusion at scale in India’s informal economy. With SEWA, we trained 12 master trainers who then delivered sessions to 4,390 nano and micro entrepreneurs across Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Participants learned to use mobile wallets, digital payment platforms, and business accounting apps, with ongoing one-on-one support to make the change stick.
  • Global reach through the SheTrades Academy. Eight UPS-funded e-learning modules cover logistics, Incoterms, international shipping, sustainability and business resilience. They are available in English, French and Spanish. Since launch, 5,583 entrepreneurs have enrolled.
  • Advocacy for inclusive trade: The programme leverages high-level events and global platforms, such as the WTO-ITC High Level Event at MC13, to showcase practical solutions for small businesses and position the SheTrades and UPS WEP as a successful model of UN-private sector partnership. 

Resources

Project brochure

Project brochure
Learn more about the first phase of the project
Download

E-learning courses

Webinars in English
Resilience in a Box
Access the webinar
How SMEs Can go Green and Increase Exports
Access the webinar
Shipping Insurance
Access the webinar
Logistics for E-commerce
Access the webinar
Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers
Access the webinar
Warehousing and Logistics
Access the webinar
Tariff and Trade Regulations
Access the webinar
Incoterms and International Transportation
Access the webinar
Customer Experience
Access the webinar
Webinars in Spanish
Seguros de transporte
Access the webinar
Servicios logísticos para el comercio electrónico
Access the webinar
Agentes de Transporte de Mercancias
Access the webinar
Almacenamiento y logística
Access the webinar
Aranceles y reglamentos comerciales que afectan las exportaciones
Access the webinar
Incoterms y Transporte Internacional
Access the webinar
Experiencia del cliente
Access the webinar
Webinars in French
L’assurance transport
Access the webinar
Logistique pour le commerce en ligne
Access the webinar
Les transitaires
Access the webinar
Incoterms et Transport International
Access the webinar
L’expérience client
Access the webinar

Success stories

Read success stories from this project
Archana’s digital journey to financial freedom​
Read the full story
How one woman’s tea travelled from Viet Nam to four continents
Read the full story

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Promoting Gender-responsive Public Procurement (GRPP) for Agricultural Products

Promoting Gender-responsive Public Procurement (GRPP) for Agricultural Products

Project Information

December 2022 – June 2026
Ecuador
Sector:
Agriculture
Theme:
Public procurement

4

regulatory reforms opening Ecuador’s procurement to women

3,140

women trained across 16 provinces

1

practical guide published in three languages

4

regulatory reforms opening Ecuador’s procurement to women

3,140

women trained across 16 provinces

1

practical guide published in three languages

About the project

Ecuador’s government is one of the country’s biggest food buyer, and women grow much of the country’s food. Until recently, the two markets barely overlapped. Worldwide, public procurement makes up around 12% of GDP and women-led businesses win just 1% of those contracts. An ITC SheTrades survey of nearly 100 women suppliers found more than 90% had never participated in a public procurement process. They named limited information, complex paperwork and payment uncertainty as the main barriers.
 
ITC SheTrades worked on three fronts. We partnered with the Ecuadorian government to reform the laws and regulations that decide who can sell to the state; organized speed-networking sessions to connect women suppliers directly with public procuring entities; and equipped women producers and entrepreneurs to bid, with training and step-by-step guides in Spanish, Kichwa and Shuar.
 
The Ecuador phase ran from December 2022 to June 2026, with expansion to East Africa, West Africa and Asia by the end of 2027.
 
This project is commissioned by the German government (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
What we do
  • Four new laws and regulations now in force. A March 2025 organic law recognizes women-led businesses in Ecuador’s procurement system for the first time. Three October 2025 reforms add operational rules, a preference margin for women-led suppliers, and a national definition aligned with ISO IWA 34.
  • National Interinstitutional Working Group established. It links Ecuadorian institutions across procurement, gender, agriculture and provincial governance, and will continue tracking the reforms beyond the project’s end in June 2026.
  • A step-by-step guide for women suppliers, in Spanish, Kichwa and Shuar. Vende al Estado: Pasos Claves para Mujeres en la Agricultura walks women farmers and entrepreneurs through registering as a public supplier, identifying procurement opportunities, preparing documents and submitting bids.
  • Training designed for women in agri-food. We delivered 72 workshops on selling to the state across 33 cities and 16 provinces, equipping 3,140 women with the steps to register, identify tenders and submit bids.
  • Speed-networking with government buyers. Each session pairs one procuring entity with a few women suppliers, opening direct conversations on procurement opportunities, documentation requirements and payment terms.

Resources

Public procurement guide for Ecuadorian women

Public procurement guide for Ecuadorian women
Vende al Estado: Pasos Claves para Mujeres en la Agricultura
Download in Spanish
Ju, úunt-nunkánam surúkta: Nuá Arákmau ju jíntian imiánkas nekátniuiti
Download in Shuar
Mamallaktachiyman katuy: Ministishka yuyaykuna warmi tarpukkuna katuchun
Download in Kichwa

Project information brochure

Project information brochure
Why involve women in agricultural public procurement?
Download

Project closure impact brochure

Project closure impact brochure
What did the project achieve in Ecuador?
Download

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SheTrades Latin America: Supporting women businesses‘ transition towards the post-COVID digital age

SheTrades Latin America is an initiative of ITC SheTrades and implemented by ITC ecomConnect, with the objective of supporting and training 1,000 women-led businesses to enable them to sell their products and services online. 
Implemented from June 2022 to December 2023. 
About the project
To advance Sustainable Development Goal 5, ITC partners with specialized e-commerce institutions in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, and Uruguay. The project’s primary objective is guiding and assessing a total of 1,000 beneficiary companies on their e-commerce journey through a virtual learning platform developed by these collaborators, who also work on creating essential tools and organizing events in Spanish.
Milestones
Since its inception, the project has delivered:
  • 729 women-led businesses enrolled in the virtual learning courses from Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay
  • 250 women-led businesses trained by local institutions on how to use ITC’s digital tools
  • Two webinars on leveraging the power of e-commerce to technical institutions
  • One networking session for entrepreneurs, partners and business support organizations
  • 25 new Spanish digital tools and methodologies developed to prepare Latin American women-led-businesses to operate in the new digital world

Have a question about the SheTrades LatAm project?

Contact us!
Resources

Partners

ITC SheTrades and Unilever Project: Enhancing economic opportunities for women in supply chains

The ITC SheTrades and Unilever project aims to enhance procurement from women-led and -owned businesses in Indonesia, with the goal of enhancing women’s economic opportunities and gender equality in the country. It unites ITC’s expertise in supporting the growth of women-owned micro, small and medium sized enterprises with Unilever’s experience in fostering inclusivity and sustainability within value chains.
Implemented between November 2022 and December 2023.
About the project
The ITC SheTrades-Unilever project is dedicated to increasing the presence of women-led/-owned businesses within Unilever’s supply chain. This goal is realized through the enhancement of the technical capabilities of Indonesian women entrepreneurs, ensuring that they are well-prepared to meet the procurement criteria of large corporations.
To date, the project has delivered the following:
  • Two technical trainings encompassing a wide range of subjects, including industry standards and certifications, effective pitching strategies, sustainable business practices and an overview of Unilever’s procurement criteria.
  • Training of Trainers (ToT) program involving 18 institutions and associations across five provinces. These trainings were designed to embed knowledge and expertise necessary to train their own members and networks on sustainability in supply chains and strategies for accessing finance for businesses. 
  • Facilitated connections between 125 women-owned and led businesses and Unilever procurement officers to explore collaboration within the Unilever supply chain.
Implementing Partners

Have questions about the ITC SheTrades & Unilever project?

Contact us!

Funders

ITC SheTrades: Empowering Women in the AfCFTA —Phase II

The ‘SheTrades: Empowering Women in the AfCFTA — Phase II’ project contributes to ITC’s One Trade Africa strategy on African regional integration. It aims to empower women entrepreneurs to benefit from trade opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area and provides women’s business associations with capacity building, networking platforms and support for effective policy advocacy on AfCFTA Phase II issues.
Implemented between October 2021 and March 2024 across the continent.
About the project
The ‘SheTrades: Empowering Women in the African Continental Free Trade Area—Phase II’ project contributes to the women in trade component of ITC One Trade Africa strategy. The project aims to empower women entrepreneurs to benefit from trade opportunities created by the AfCFTA and contribute to a more inclusive AfCFTA by:
  • Providing women’s business associations with capacity building, networking platforms and support for effective policy advocacy on AfCFTA Phase II issues
  • Leveraging the private sector to foster women’s economic empowerment through the AfCFTA;
  • Working with ECOWAS to strengthen the ecosystem for women;
  • Promoting public private sector dialogues on women and trade across selected countries;
  • Delivering technical support to policymakers.
Funded by GIZ, the project is implemented in close cooperation with the AfCFTA Secretariat, the African Union Commission and regional economic communities (RECs) in the continent.
Milestones
  • Developed a strategy and roadmap for an AfCFTA Continental Network for WBAs;
  • Finalized Articles of association and by-laws for the Continental Network;
  • Convened consultations across the continent with over 120 WBAs in Africa;
  • Organized a series of three-day AfCFTA export readiness bootcamps in Benin, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Niger, Rwanda and Togo;
  • Organized a three-part webinar series to 15 ECOWAS member states on AfCFTA topics. Topics include rules of origin, tariff concessions, non-tariff barriers monitoring, the Pan-African Payment System, the African Trade Observatory and market intelligence tools. A total of 526 women entrepreneurs were trained.
  • Hosted a regional meeting focused on women and youth;
  • Organized three policy dialogues on the ITC SheTrades Outlook policy tool and the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Rwanda, Malawi and Niger.
Learning Resources – Online Training Programme in Intra-African Trade in Processed Foods
Webinar 1 – How to successfully prepare, exhibit and organize your follow-up for trade fair participation
Webinaire 1 – Comment préparer, exposer et organiser avec succès le suivi de votre participation à une foire commerciale
  • Checklists compilées: cliquez ici
  • Presentation diapositives: cliquez ici
  • Checklist pour calculer le coût de sa participation à une foire: cliquez ici
  • Regardez l’enregistrement du webinaire ici
Webinar 2 – Go global: Craft your export marketing strategy
Webinaire 2 – S’ouvrir au monde : Élaborez votre stratégie de marketing à l’exportation
  • Presentation diapositives: cliquez ici
  • Regardez l’enregistrement du webinaire ici
Webinar 3 – Enhance your export visibility through social media
Webinaire 3 – Renforcez votre visibilité à l’exportation avec les réseaux sociaux
  • Presentation diapositives: cliquez ici
  • Regardez l’enregistrement du webinaire ici
Webinar 4 – Key certifications for women-led agro-food processors
Webinaire 4 – Certifications clés pour les transformateurs agroalimentaires
  • Presentation diapositives: cliquez ici
  • Regardez l’enregistrement du webinaire ici
Webinar 5 – Exporting 101: Navigating Prices, Processes and Documentation
Webinaire 5 – L’exportation 101 : Navigation des prix, des processus et de la documentation
  • Presentation diapositives: cliquez ici
  • Regardez l’enregistrement du webinaire ici
Webinar 6 – Sealing the Deal: How to effectively negotiate and engage with buyers
Webinaire 6 – Conclure la Vente : Comment négocier et engager les acheteurs
  • Presentation diapositives: cliquez ici
  • Regardez l’enregistrement du webinaire ici
Webinar 7 – Get Market-Intelligent with the African Trade Observatory
Webinaire 7– Obtenez des tendances du marché grâce à l’Observatoire Africain du Commerce
  • Presentation diapositives: cliquez ici
  • En raison de difficultés techniques, l’enregistrement de la séance en français n’est pas disponible. Nous vous présentons nos excuses et vous remercions de votre compréhension. Regardez en anglais ici.
Publications
  • Reforming Public Policy – Step by Step: An Introduction to Dialogue & Advocacy for Women’s Business Associations – Available in English and French
  • Products & Markets with Export Growth Potential in COMESA – Available in English
  • Survey of African Women’s Business Associations – Available in English
  • AfCFTA Policy Dialogue with Women’s Business Associations: Key Outcomes and Recommendations – Available in English
  • Dialogue sur les politiques de la ZLECAf avec les associations professionnelles de femmes: résultats et recommandations – Available in French
SheTrades AfCFTA policy briefs

Learn more about the SheTrades-AfCFTA project!

Click here to read our brochure

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ITC SheTrades and Visa: Asia Pacific

Igniting Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia Pacific
ITC SheTrades and Visa have partnered since July 2023 to advance women’s entrepreneurial development and foster inclusive growth across the Asia Pacific region. 
About the project
Visa is committed to being a trusted partner for micro and small businesses as they navigate today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. This collaboration with ITC SheTrades supports women-led businesses by providing access to digital tools, financial resources and educational content to achieve their business aspirations. 
Upcoming activities
  • Mentorship Programme: Between October and November 2024, selected women entrepreneurs will be matched with Visa experts to receive mentorship on digital banking, payments and commerce.  
Past activities
  • Partner Networking Workshop in Manila, Philippines (4 – 6 December 2023): 100 Filipina entrepreneurs participated in a workshop to tackle the challenges of exporting and investment competitiveness. This flagship event was launched on the sidelines of National Exporters Week by the Department of Trade and Industry (SheTrades Philippines Hub).   
  • ‘Harnessing Digital Solutions for Financial Success’ Webinar Series (13 – 27 June 2024): Hosted a three-part webinar series, where 278 participants from 56 markets gained practical insights on financial planning, digitalization, access to capital, and learned how to use Visa’s online resources to upscale their businesses. 
The ITC-Visa Self-Assessment Tool
Access the ITC-Visa Self-Assessment Tool to evaluate your business competitiveness! This tool will help you gain a deeper understanding of your business’s current standing, pinpoint areas for improvement, and offer personalized insights to guide your business development strategy.
How to access the ITC-Visa Self Assessment Tool:
  • Access the platform here.
  • Log in to your account—or create one if you don’t have one.
  • Start the assessment and complete it at your own pace.
For additional guidance, please refer to the instructions outlined in this guide or check out this webinar, which features insights from ITC experts.
Visa Solutions for Small Businesses
Visa offers a suite of innovative solutions designed to empower small and micro businesses by enhancing their payment processes, improving financial management, and providing robust security measures. Here are some key Visa solutions: 
  • Click-to-Pay provides a seamless online checkout experience that allows customers to pay with a single click, simplifying the payment process and enhancing customer satisfaction. 
  • Tap-to-Phone enables businesses to accept contactless payments directly on their NFC-enabled smartphones without additional hardware, making it cost-effective and convenient for on-the-go transactions. 
  • Visa Direct offers a real-time cross-border and domestic payment solution that allows businesses to send funds directly to eligible debit and prepaid cards, accelerating payments and enhancing cash flow management. 
  • Small Business Cards provide tailored credit and debit card solutions designed specifically for small businesses, offering features like expense management tools, rewards, and cashback to help manage business expenses and provide access to credit. 
Additional Resources from Visa Partners
Basic Financial Literacy and Business Skills
  • Practical Money Skills:
    A global digital financial literacy education programme that equips micro and small business owners with essential tools for managing personal finances. The programme covers budgeting, savings, investing, credit management, and debt reduction, ensuring financial well-being and stability. 
    Courses available in English, Korean, Bahasa Indonesia 
  • Practical Business Skills:
    A comprehensive digital resource platform designed to enhance business operations for micro and small business owners. It offers tools and insights for effective business financial management, strategic marketing, operational efficiency, and business planning, empowering owners to drive sustainable growth. 
    Courses available in English 
Business Resources and Support
Visa Initiatives and Programmes
  • She’s Next, Empowered by Visa Initiative 
    A programme dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs, it provides resources, funding, networking opportunities and mentorship to help women business owners overcome challenges, grow their businesses, and achieve long-term success. 
  • Visa Accelerator Programme
    A targeted initiative aimed at fostering the growth of innovative startups in the fintech space. It offers mentorship, resources and opportunities to collaborate with Visa’s extensive network, accelerating growth and market reach. 
  • Visa Inclusive Fintech Accelerator 
    A specialized accelerator programme promoting inclusivity in the fintech sector. It supports underrepresented entrepreneurs and startups by providing mentorship, resources, and access to Visa’s ecosystem to scale their operations and drive financial inclusion. 

Funder

Have a question about the SheTrades & Visa: Asia Pacific project?

Contact us!

Value-added Initiative to Boost Employment for Women-led Businesses Programme

Within the five-year framework of the TradeMark Africa-led Value-added Initiative to Boost Employment (VIBE) programme, and in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, ITC SheTrades is implementing activities targeting 150 export-ready women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the horticulture sector to access new market opportunities, while creating jobs for women and youth. 
Implemented between July 2023 and June 2028 in Rwanda.
About the project
The project “Rwanda: Value-added Initiative to Boost Employment (VIBE) for Women-led Businesses” (VIBE-SheTrades Rwanda) is part of the VIBE programme, a five-year programme led by TradeMark Africa (TMA) and in partnership with Mastercard Foundation to increase dignified employment, particularly among excluded groups such as women, youth, refugees, and people living with disabilities in Rwanda. The VIBE programme aims to contribute to the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works (YAW) strategy, launched in Rwanda in 2018, to provide opportunities for young people in Africa to secure dignified and fulfilling work.

ITC SheTrades will specifically implement the intervention targeting 150 export-ready women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the horticulture sector to access new market opportunities, while creating jobs for women and youth.

Have a question about the VIBE programme?

Contact us!

Partners

SheTrades Hubs

Co-implemented by ITC SheTrades and national and regional institutions, SheTrades Hubs serve as resource centres for women-led businesses, policymakers, business support organizations and private-sector partners to improve the business support ecosystem and foster a community of partners to enable women’s success in trade.
About SheTrades Hubs
Operating in collaboration with national and regional institutions, SheTrades Hubs serve as vital resource centres for women entrepreneurs to access trainings on key topics, market and investment opportunities; institutions to access to a community of partners from a network spanning 20 in-country and two regional hubs across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa region; and to support policy makers with enhancing gender-inclusive policies.

You can register at your local Hub by following the relevant link in bold below:
West Africa
East and Southern Africa
Asia
Caribbean
Latin America
Milestones
SheTrades Hub host institutions have facilitated training, investment and market access opportunities. Our impact includes:
  • Nearly 4,500 women entrepreneurs received skills trainings;
  • Over 400 women entrepreneurs benefitted from new services;
  • $1.2 million in business leads generated by 39 women entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya and Trinidad & Tobago at the Fruit Attraction Trade Fair (October 2022);
  • 20 in-country and two regional hubs equipped to offer enhanced services, covering crisis management, digital workshops, marketing and more;
  • Mauritius and South Africa SheTrades Hubs explored opportunities to co-organize a regional-level training for WLBs on market access and export development following peer-to peer sessions in March 2023.

Have a question about SheTrades Hubs?

Get in touch
  • Resources
    SheTrades Hubs Brochure – Available in English