Kenya’s Laura Akunga Mwenje, founder and CEO of Benchmark Solutions Limited and chair of African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) Kenya and secretariat, has been elected treasurer of Continental Network for Women’s Business Associations in Africa (CONWOBAA).

The association also elected South Africa’s Dimakatso Malwela, President of Women of Value South Africa (WOVSA) as its first chairperson. She will be deputised by Fanja Razakaboana, who is the President of the Madagascar Women Entrepreneurs Association (GFEM). Ghana’s Mabel Ibidun Quarshie – Chief Executive Officer of Acquatic Foods Limited of Ghana, will serve as the association’s secretary.

Other regional representatives on the association’s board include Sitti Abdallah Mshangama (Comoros), Barbara Banda (Malawi), Yomita El Sheridy (Egypt), Leila Belkhira Jaber (Tunisia), Blessing Irabor-Oza (Nigeria), Nicole Gakou Gomis (Senegal), Betty Mulanga Kadima (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Esther Omam (Cameroon) and Dr Nigest Haile (Ethiopia).

The network, facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the African Union Commission, brings together over 100 women business associations from six regions in Africa – West Africa, North Africa, Indian Ocean, Central Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. and aims to promote intra-African trade.

“We are delighted to bring together women’s business associations from across Africa to advance intra‑African trade. This network underpins ITC’s broader efforts through SheTrades and One Trade Africa to create real market access for women-led enterprises,” ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo said while unveiling the association’s leadership.

CONWOBAA has been designed to facilitate trade for women entrepreneurs through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), helping members of the WBAs access cross-border trade opportunities and build sustainable businesses.

“This powerful network is led by women in leadership who are successfully running businesses and advocating for the growth of women-led enterprises across Africa. We look forward to the continued growth of this network and the opportunities it will create for women entrepreneurs across Africa to leverage on AfCFTA and elevate their businesses to new heights,” Tembo said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Joseph Ng’ang’a