AfCFTA: CBW Africa advocates greater participation of women

LAGOS, Nigeria — 17 April 2026 (Agency Report) — The Commonwealth Business Women Africa (CBW Africa) has urged more women across the continent to take deliberate steps to leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mrs Ngozi Oyewole, Continental President of CBW Africa, said in a communiqué on Thursday that women must play a central role in driving the AfCFTA vision.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AfCFTA, established in 2018, seeks to accelerate intra-African trade, creating the world’s largest free trade area by participation and strengthening Africa’s global trade position.

Oyewole described AfCFTA as a transformative platform for economic integration, noting that Africa had moved beyond preparation into the active implementation of a unified market.

She added that the initiative was designed to unlock intra-African trade, eliminate barriers, and create one of the largest single markets globally.

According to her, women must play a central role in driving this vision rather than remaining on the sidelines.

“This is a continental awakening, and Africa is no longer preparing for integration; we are already in it,” she said.

Oyewole noted that CBW Africa was actively contributing to this integration through its e-commerce platform, which connects women entrepreneurs across borders.

She said the platform enhances market access, promotes visibility, and facilitates trade transactions among women-led businesses across African countries.

“We are not just speaking about integration; we are living it.

“We are moving women from informality to structured enterprises, from local markets to continental value chains, and from potential to profitability,” she said.

She added that the organisation was focused on building bankable and investable businesses led by women, as well as fostering credible and well-governed networks.

Oyewole also emphasised the importance of physical networking, describing proximity as a critical factor in unlocking business opportunities under the AfCFTA framework.

She encouraged participants to engage actively, initiate partnerships, and develop clear action plans that translate into business growth and cross-border partnerships.

She called on African women to move beyond participation in AfCFTA to actively dominate trade and enterprise across the continent.

“No woman should be without a concrete plan — not just inspiration, but a clear strategy for execution and collaboration,” she said. (NAN).