The East African Community, EAC, COMESA, and ECOWAS are joining forces to promote women’s economic empowerment in Africa. They began a two-day coordination meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, focused on the 50 Million African Women Speak Platform (50MAWSP).
The platform — www.womenconnect.org — connects women to business resources, markets, and funding opportunities. It also provides AI tools, flash sales, and live chats.
More than 700,000 users have registered on the platform. Women aged 25 to 34 are the most active. Kenya leads in user numbers.
The goal of the meeting is to review the platform’s progress and plan for its future. It includes stakeholders and development partners.
A Vision for a Borderless Business World
EAC Secretary General Hon. Veronica Nduva said the platform could solve trade challenges through women’s inclusion.
“Women make up a significant portion of our small business sector but often encounter greater barriers to scaling and exporting. If we can remove these barriers, imagine what we could achieve economically, socially and regionally,” she stated.
She confirmed the platform’s next phase will include major upgrades.
“The second phase of the 50MAWSP will transform the platform into a one-stop hub. It will integrate powerful new features: e-commerce capabilities so women can trade across borders, real-time trend alerts and mentorship sessions and AI-driven credit scoring to unlock micro-loans for women who have never had formal financing,” added Hon. Nduva.
Dr. Dev Haman of COMESA praised the platform’s role in grassroots growth.
“Our communities thrive when women thrive. An initiative that connects and strengthens women-owned businesses is directly contributing to grassroots development and poverty reduction in East Africa,” said Dr. Haman.
He believes the meeting will produce a strong roadmap for the future.
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Regional blocs plan next steps for women’s trade platform
Mrs. Salimata Thiam of ECOWAS said the meeting shows the importance of regional cooperation.
“We are looking at developing a long-term sustainability strategy based on diversified funding sources and increased support from partners and beneficiary countries,” said Mrs. Thiam.
She stressed the need to listen to women on the ground.
“Integrating user feedback into the development of the platform’s functionality is also critical,” added Mrs. Thiam.
She also called for better project management.
Mrs. Thiam underscored the importance of strengthening project governance through effective coordination and monitoring mechanisms.
EAC Deputy Secretary General Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth supported this push.
“Increasing the number of women-led businesses that trade across EAC borders would enhance intra-regional trade volumes and create a more inclusive common market,” said Hon. Ariik.
He said the platform reduces business barriers for women.
“The 50MAWSP is a practical tool to achieve that. It helps women entrepreneurs find information and partners beyond their home country, essentially lowering the informational and networking barriers that often keep trade localised,” said Hon. Ariik.
Since 2016, the platform has been rolled out in 37 countries across the three RECs. Women in Kenya are already building cross-border businesses.
Some women now export spices. Others gained mentorship and secured funding. These real stories show the platform’s real impact.
The meeting will end with a new plan for resource mobilisation and joint action by the three Regional Economic Communities.