Maputo, Mozambique; 23 August 2024: The 8th Meeting of the Committee on Women and Youth in Trade of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) successfully concluded in Maputo, Mozambique, focusing on shaping the Ministerial Regulation for Preferential Market Access. This meeting served as a key milestone toward the utilisation of preferential market access tailored for women and youth cross-border traders and women and youth-owned or led businesses.
Delegates engaged in productive discussions, providing guidance and input on key provisions of the Ministerial Regulation that responds to the unique needs of women and youth cross-border traders and women and youth owned/led businesses across the continent.
To recognize the RECs contribution towards the formalization of the informal sector and supporting women and youth cross-border traders through the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime the meeting received presentation from regional economic communities, including COMESA, EAC, and SADC, highlighted existing Simplified Trade Regimes and best practices to support the participation of women and youth in trade. The meeting also emphasized the need for gender-responsive infrastructure and robust measures to address harassment at border crossings.
The outcomes of this meeting will be submitted for further consideration at the upcoming meeting of the Senior Trade Officials (STO) set to begin on 26 August 2024. The Committee remains committed to finalizing the Ministerial Regulation by September 2024, with a virtual follow-up meeting scheduled for 24 September to consider comments from State Parties following national consultations.
The AfCFTA Secretariat reaffirmed its dedication to supporting State Parties in the national consultation process to ensure that the Ministerial Regulation on Preferential Market Access for Women and Youth in Trade is effectively implemented. This work marks a significant step toward empowering women and youth in trade and ensuring their inclusion in Africa’s broader economic growth agenda.
