In Nairobi, Kenya, women entrepreneurs in Africa have been encouraged to enter into strategic partnerships, enhance their access to financing and reinforce their business networks if they are to expand their enterprises into regional and international markets.
The call was placed by Dr Purity Ngina, CEO of the Commission, when she was speaking at the Africa Women in Trade Forum at the Weston Hotel in Nairobi on 28 October 2026.
Under the theme of “Accelerating Women-Led Trade for Africa’s Economic Transformation”, Dr Ngina called on all stakeholders to go beyond mere networking and goodwill and instead pursue structured partnerships which could deliver tangible business results.
She pointed out that women’s own enterprises need more than just ambition if they are to grow, stating that access to finance, international buyers, technology, mentorship, market intelligence and distribution networks are all essential for building competitive businesses.
Dr Ngina called on financial institutions, government agencies, development partners and private sector organisations to determine their individual roles in the women’s business ecosystem and to cooperate in overcoming the barriers that are hindering enterprise growth.
She gave examples of practical measures such as linking women exporters with international buyers, assisting businesses in meeting certification requirements, helping them gain access to affordable financing, and setting up joint market access programmes.
The CEO also encouraged the participants to extend their networks beyond their usual business circles so that they could get in touch with entrepreneurs who have viable businesses but who do not have access to markets, resources and opportunities.
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She said that we should shift our emphasis from goodwill to structured collaborations and tangible commercial results.
She stressed that women entrepreneurs and organisations should not work by themselves but should rather acknowledge the place they have within a wider ecosystem in which shared resources and expertise can enhance their impact, prevent duplication, and provide opportunities for business growth.
Dr Ngina also stressed the need to extend business support not only to the major commercial centres but also to women entrepreneurs in various counties.
She mentioned that she is currently working with women in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Meru and Murang’a, pointing out that entrepreneurs should be supported no matter where they are located or what stage of development their businesses are at.
As Dr Ngina points out, a good business support ecosystem must give entrepreneurs the necessary back-office help, whatever their situation may be—whether they are just beginning out, expanding their current operations or are preparing to enter international markets.
She stated that the best way to judge whether partnerships have been successful is to look at the increased access they have given to buyers, the better financing opportunities they have provided, the stronger the enterprises have become, the jobs they have created, and the greater the participation in global trade.
The CEO stated that the Commission is committed to working with its partners to enable women-owned businesses to set up shop, grow in a sustainable way and take part in international markets.
She noted that a business might start off locally but its growth potential should not be restricted by its geographical position, its existing networks, or its access to opportunities.
The Africa Women in Trade Forum, which takes place from 28 to 30 October 2026, gathers women entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, financial institutions and industry leaders in order that they may examine the possibilities of expanding women-led trade throughout Africa.
The forum, which was organised by OWIT Kenya in cooperation with the State Department for Trade, centres on the issues of market access, financing, digital trade, business competitiveness and cross-border partnerships.
The talks are taking place at a time when there are increasing efforts to enhance women’s involvement in regional and continental commerce, particularly in light of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Ngina pointed out that as women-owned businesses grow, the benefits spread not only to the individual businesses but also to their families, communities, and the wider economy, which makes collaboration an important factor in achieving sustainable economic development.
