Comesa launches platform to connect 50 million entrepreneurs
A digital platform specifically designed to address the information needs of women in business and connect them via a custom-built social networking tool has been launched in Kigali, Rwanda.
The platform, known as 50 Million African Women Speak, was unveiled during the Global Gender Summit taking place in the Rwandan capital.
In a statement on Thursday Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) said the platform primarily seeks to economically empower women by providing a one-stop shop for a wide range of financial and non-financial services that women need to start and grow successful businesses.
The initiative is being implemented by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).
It will allow women in 38 African countries to find information on running businesses, accessing financial services, create business opportunities online and access training resources, ultimately contributing to their economic empowerment.
“I certainly believe that the creation of this platform is a very practical way of speaking to the general agenda of empowering women. I think a lot has been said and now we have come to a stage where we have practical initiatives such as this one,” said Comesa secretary general Chileshe Kapwepwe.
Through a robust social networking functionality that has been embedded in the platform, women will have opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, mentoring and sharing information and knowledge, connecting via the web-based platform or through the mobile app.
The platform is touted as having the potential to unleash a dynamic online community of women entrepreneurs whose business activities transcend borders.
“Sixty five percent of the traded commodities in the East Africa region come from agriculture—a sector that employs 80 percent of women. This platform will enable this big part of our population to expand markets and get new opportunities,” said Christophe Bazivamo, EAC deputy secretary general in charge of Productive and Social Sectors.
