The Addis Ababa Office of the Baha'i International Community (BIC) recently organized a panel discussion centered on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the pivotal role of women in societal development. 

Expert panelists featured at the event included Ms. Jane Nalunga, Executive Director of the Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute; Ms. Trudi Hartzenberg, Executive Director of the Trade Law Centre (tralac); Dr. Iraj Abedian, Founder and Chief Executive of Pan-African Investment and Research Services; and Mr. Milion Habte, Coordinator of AfCFTA implementation in Accra, Ghana.

Panelists and participants engaged in discussions on the systemic challenges that African women encounter in trade and the necessity for complementary initiatives at national and regional levels to ensure their meaningful participation. The deliberations were part of a broader exploration of AfCFTA's transformative potential in fostering inclusive economic growth across the continent.

In opening remarks, BIC Representative Carmel Woldu noted the integral role of women in both the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and broader societal development, setting the tone for an insightful and engaging discussion.

One common thread woven throughout the discussion was the imperative of including women within the AfCFTA. Ms. Nalunga and Ms. Hartzenburg emphasized the need to remove gender-based barriers, stressing the importance of initiatives such as the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, which was adopted by the African Heads of State in February 2024. The Protocol aims to promote the effective participation of women and youth within the AfCFTA through measures such as capacity building, access to finance, elimination of barriers, and protection against discrimination and harassment, among others. Ms. Nalunga explored the key constraints that women entrepreneurs face in cross-border trade and the need to address these constraints in order to improve their competitiveness in intra-Africa trade. 

Ms. Hartzenberg discussed systemic challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, noting that “the gender divides run deep in many areas of our economy and society” and that the AfCFTA is a welcome addition to achieving the African Union’s development strategy for the continent, Agenda 2063. She highlighted the need for member states to support women- and youth-led service suppliers, which consist mostly of small and medium enterprises. 

Ms. Nalunga pinpointed the significance of reinforcing gender-responsive measures, while Ms. Hartzenberg shed light on the gender disparities prevalent in cross-border trade and the digital economy. Both experts underscored the necessity of translating trade documents into various languages to enhance accessibility, echoing concerns about limited access to trade benefits for women.

Another focal point of the discussion was the importance of national implementation strategies for AfCFTA protocols. Mr. Habte and Dr. Abedian underscored the significance of multi-sectoral approaches to implementation. 

Mr. Habte provided insights into recent developments within AfCFTA, highlighting the progress made in ratification by Member States and ongoing support for national implementation committees. He noted that effective coordination of all national stakeholders is “at the heart of  the effective implementation” of AfCFTA. 

Dr. Abedian echoed calls for an enabling environment for trade implementation, articulating the need to eliminate systemic inequalities against women and proposing practical solutions such as infrastructure improvements and active women's participation in policy formulation. He emphasized the need for eradicating systemic prejudice against women’s socio-economic rights for sustainable development. “We cannot excuse culture to continue prejudice against women,” he stated.

Furthermore, panelists called attention to the challenges posed by systemic barriers to trade inclusivity. Ms. Hartzenberg and Dr. Abedian emphasized the need to address these hurdles to ensure effective implementation of AfCFTA. Ms. Hartzenberg stressed the importance of preserving regional economic communities and drew attention to mechanisms such as the Non-Tariff Barriers Reporting Mechanism. Dr. Abedian resonated with these sentiments, emphasizing the need to eliminate discriminatory practices at the national level and pave the way for meaningful implementation of AfCFTA protocols.

The panel discussion, attended by participants from diverse backgrounds and regions, served as a catalyst for dialogue and collaboration towards advancing inclusive trade policies within AfCFTA. As stakeholders continue to navigate challenges and opportunities, the collective commitment to fostering economic growth and development across the continent remains steadfast.