New AfCFTA Programme to Boost Trade and SME Growth Launched in Freetown
Aminata Koroma The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, the Government of Sierra Leone, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and GIZ Sierra Leone and Liberia, has officially launched a three-day regional programme on AfCFTA Export Readiness in Freetown.
The initiative brings together Business Support Organizations (BSOs) as well as women- and youth-owned enterprises, to strengthen their capacity to participate effectively in regional and continental trade under the AfCFTA framework.
According to organisers, the programme is designed to deliver three key outcomes. These include enhancing firm-level export readiness, improving participants’ knowledge and use of digital trade tools, and increasing the participation of women in regional trade.
The training is expected to equip participants with practical skills and insights needed to navigate export processes, leverage digital platforms, and tap into emerging market opportunities across Africa.
Stakeholders say the initiative underscores a shared commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth and empowering small businesses, particularly those led by women and young entrepreneurs, to benefit from expanded trade opportunities under the AfCFTA.