Sixteen women entrepreneurs from the eight East African Community (EAC) Partner States have been recognised as Champion Mentees under the East African Women in Trade Champions Initiative (EAWiTCI) for their leadership, resilience and contribution to regional trade and economic integration.
The award ceremony took place on during the 26th EAC Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair and Exhibition at the Gikondo Expo Grounds in Kigali, Rwanda. The recognition followed the successful completion of a six-month mentorship and capacity-development programme designed to strengthen the mentees’ understanding of EAC trade policies, regional market opportunities and cross-border trade procedures.
The Champion Mentees demonstrated their commitment to growing competitive enterprises and contributing to regional economic development through trade, innovation and business leadership.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the chief guest, Ms. Chantal Tuyishimire, Permanent Secretary in Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, underscored the importance of creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to grow and compete across regional markets.
“Women’s economic empowerment and participation in trade are essential to achieving inclusive, competitive and sustainable economic growth. We must continue working together to address the barriers women entrepreneurs face, particularly in accessing finance, technology, market information, business networks and cross-border trade opportunities,” he said.
The permanent Secretary commended the initiative for providing a regional platform to recognise successful women entrepreneurs, strengthen mentorship and promote women’s participation in regional and international markets.
“The success of this Initiative should ultimately be measured not only by the recognition of individual Champions and Mentees, but also by the businesses they strengthen, the employment opportunities they create, the partnerships they establish and the women entrepreneurs they inspire across our region,” he emphasised.
Ms. Tuyishimire called on regional institutions, development partners and private-sector organisations to sustain their collaboration in addressing structural barriers to women's economic participation, particularly limited access to affordable finance, digital technologies, market information and trade facilitation services.
In her remarks, Ms. Flavia Busingye, the EAC Director of Customs and Trade, representing Hon. Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs and Lead Champion of the Initiative, underscored the importance of creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to participate fully in regional trade.
“Regional economic integration can only be truly inclusive when women are not merely beneficiaries of trade opportunities, but active participants, business leaders, investors and contributors to policy development. Supporting women-led enterprises is not only a matter of equity; it is an economic imperative for building a more competitive, resilient and prosperous East African region,” she said.
The Director highlighted the progress made by the Initiative since its launch in November 2025, noting that the pioneer Champions had benefited from increased business visibility, expanded market linkages, stronger regional networks and opportunities to participate in regional and international trade and investment platforms.
She emphasised that the recognition of the sixteen Champion Mentees marked the beginning of a broader responsibility to use their knowledge, networks and leadership capacities to grow their businesses, mentor other women entrepreneurs and contribute to regional value-chain development.
“When women succeed in business, they create opportunities not only for themselves, but also for their families, communities and the wider regional economy. Let us continue working together to ensure that women entrepreneurs are visible, connected, empowered and able to compete in regional and international markets,” she added.
Ms. Busingye acknowledged the continued support of the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through the EAC–GIZ Programme, in advancing women's economic empowerment and inclusive regional integration.
In his remarks, Mr. Djete Sagoh, Representative of the European Union Delegation to Tanzania and EAC, welcomed the opportunity to join policymakers, business associations, development partners and traders at the 26th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair and Exhibition and witness the second award ceremony of the women champions.
He noted that the occasion demonstrated the value of regional cooperation in recognising women entrepreneurs not only for their business achievements, but also for their contributions to employment creation, innovation, regional trade and economic integration.
Mr Sagoh reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting an inclusive and prosperous East African Community in which women and young people can participate meaningfully in regional trade and economic development. Through its partnership with the EAC and GIZ, the EU continues to support initiatives that strengthen women-led enterprises and improve access to markets, finance, skills and technology.
“When women succeed in business, they create jobs, strengthen regional value chains and contribute to shared prosperity across East Africa. We must continue working together to ensure that no woman or young person is left behind. This Initiative demonstrates how regional cooperation, mentorship and business networks can translate integration commitments into tangible opportunities,” he said.
The EAC’s commitment to women's economic empowerment is anchored in the EAC Treaty, the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Common Market and the EAC Gender Policy, which provide a foundation for promoting equal opportunities and strengthening women's participation in economic activities.
The East African Women in Trade Champions Initiative seeks to translate these commitments into practical opportunities by recognising successful women entrepreneurs as role models and strengthening mentorship, peer learning, leadership and business connections across the region. It also provides a platform for women entrepreneurs to enhance their visibility, access wider markets and contribute more effectively to regional trade and policy processes.
The Initiative brings together the EAC Secretariat, the East African Business Council (EABC), the East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP) and supported by GIZ-LIFTED – a project jointly co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).