The UNCTAD-led eTrade for Women initiative, in partnership with Birame Sock, founder and CEO of Kwely and an eTrade for Women advocate, will host a regional masterclass for French-speaking African countries under the theme "Women entrepreneurs in Africa: Develop your growth potential”.
This event will bring together women digital entrepreneurs who are shaping the digital ecosystem across the continent.
What will the masterclass focus on?
The masterclass will comprise three half-day online training, peer-learning, inspirational sessions and a policy-oriented one.
Training sessions will help women digital entrepreneurs strengthen their skills to leverage digital solutions to grow their businesses. Participants will discuss concrete tools available to businesses to meet changing customer demands and become more competitive in their markets while making an impact in their communities.
Inspirational sessions will allow participants to learn from and connect with more seasoned entrepreneurs from the region, who will share their experiences on how to overcome challenges such as cultural gender biases, lack of trust or limited access to finance.
The event will also help participants better understand their policy contexts by engaging with key stakeholders in the digital economy at national and regional levels. Discussions will cover the regional integration agenda to help entrepreneurs better assess business opportunities, adapt to their environment and become credible voices in Africa’s digital economy.
Participants will also meet like-minded peers, interact and expand their networks. After completing the masterclass, participants will be invited to join the eTrade for Women community of women entrepreneurs in francophone Africa.
Who can participate?
The masterclass is open to women digital entrepreneurs from the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Candidates must be a founder, co-founder or CEO of a digital business, an e-commerce store or a digital platform that has operated for at least two years.
How to apply?
To join, please apply here
The UNCTAD eTrade for Women initiative
The eTrade for Women initiative was launched by the United Nations in 2019 in partnership with eTrade for all. The initiative aims to empower women by combining the transformative power of female entrepreneurship with the positive impact of digital technologies.
