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ECOFEPA Hosted Masterclass for Women in Trade

The event focused on expanding female entrepreneurship and export opportunities within the ECOWAS region.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in International Trade

Bold vector editorial illustration of a shipping crate on a compass rose, representing growth in women's entrepreneurship and regional trade.
ECOFEPA hosted an executive masterclass to provide women entrepreneurs in the ECOWAS region with critical trade strategies and improved access to export markets. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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ECOFEPA held an executive masterclass to address barriers for women entrepreneurs in the ECOWAS region, including limited access to finance and market information. The session brought together parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, and exporters to discuss trade strategies.

Why it matters

Women-owned businesses remain largely trapped in the informal economy, and increasing access to leadership and export markets is viewed as essential for regional economic growth.

Ghana's National Gender Policy serves as a 9-year framework, active from 2025-2034, to guide gender-responsive development across the nation.

The players

ECOFEPA

This is an association of parliamentarians and regional actors focused on advancing political and economic participation in the ECOWAS region.

The details

Participants explored ways for women to leverage technology and professional skills to navigate global market requirements. The masterclass sought to bridge the gap between small-scale operations and larger export opportunities.

Timeline

  1. September 25, 2026: The executive masterclass was held.

  2. 2025-2034: The duration of the National Gender Policy.

Market Dynamics

The initiative aligns with Ghana's National Gender Policy 2025-2034, which serves as a benchmark for gender-responsive development in the region. This masterclass follows the pattern set by governmental frameworks to transition informal businesses into formal global trade participants.

For female entrepreneurs, the event highlights a shift toward prioritizing access to formal finance and market data for small businesses. Professionals should monitor how regional policies like Ghana's 2025-2034 plan influence future grant or loan availability for women-owned enterprises.

The takeaway

Economic empowerment for women in the region hinges on transitioning from informal trade to utilizing modern digital and export tools. Participants are encouraged to leverage institutional support systems to gain the confidence and leadership experience needed for global markets.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest developments in International Trade.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News.

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