SheTrades West Africa

    Overview

    Summary

    The SheTrades West Africa project, financed by the Korea International Cooperative Agency (KOICA), is being implemented in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The project’s goal is to improve the livelihoods of 10,000 women in selected agricultural value chains by 2023. The focus in Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire is cashew, in Liberia cassava and in Guinea shea. The project will be working with the governments (ministries of trade, agriculture and gender/women), Business Support Organisations, value chain operators, SMEs and women as part of the farming household to develop the competitiveness and inclusiveness of these sectors, create local value addition, establish new market linkages and increase the benefits for women in these value chains.

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

    This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Who we work with

    We work hands-on with everyone from government officials to small-scale farmers to support women and their businesses. SheTrades West Africa offers guidance and support throughout the value chain, from growing crops to getting finished products into international markets. We do this through one-on-one coaching as well as group workshops designed to bring practical benefits to small businesses.

    We make policymakers aware of issues around women’s economic empowerment, and we use the SheTrades Outlook to give them the tools they need to support women’s businesses.

    We develop ways for business support organizations and service providers to improve services for small businesses, especially to women producers.

    Our coaching and training in export strategies, standards, packaging, and branding makes women-owned businesses more competitive, throughout the value chain.

    With trade fairs, buyer visits and business-to-business events, we connect women-owned businesses with international buyers.

    Tailored trainings in production, processing, and business management help women farmers improve their harvests and sales.

    The new cooperatives policy will create a more enabling trade environment in the country and encourage women in business in Sierra Leone to take advantage of increased trade opportunities through inclusive cooperatives.
    The new cooperatives policy will create a more enabling trade environment in the country and encourage women in business in Sierra Leone to take advantage of increased trade opportunities through inclusive cooperatives.
    Saffie Deen-Tarawally, director of policy and planning
    Sierra Leone Ministry of Trade
    ITC worked closely with the ministry to include gender-responsive policy options that ensure women benefit equally from trade.
    ITC worked closely with the ministry to include gender-responsive policy options that ensure women benefit equally from trade.
    With the help of coaching on packaging, marketing, and branding by SheTrades West Africa, there has been an increase in my sales, particularly after redesigning the company’s branding collateral.
    With the help of coaching on packaging, marketing, and branding by SheTrades West Africa, there has been an increase in my sales, particularly after redesigning the company’s branding collateral.
    Jacqueline Djiré, owner
    Société de Production et de Distribution (Production and Distribution Company), Côte d’Ivoire
    Due to the project’s trainings on good practices of shea processing in Upper Guinea, we have increased the quality and quantity of our products, from 32 to 56 tonnes. And we’ve improved the management of our cooperatives.
    Due to the project’s trainings on good practices of shea processing in Upper Guinea, we have increased the quality and quantity of our products, from 32 to 56 tonnes. And we’ve improved the management of our cooperatives.
    Moussoken Sangaré, member
    FUPROBEK, Guinea
    I thank SheTrades West Africa and KOICA for the business management training I attended which gave me the knowledge to lead the development of a financial policy for my cooperative. The changes we have seen in our revenue since this policy was developed is huge. We have good savings, and we are spending efficiently.
    I thank SheTrades West Africa and KOICA for the business management training I attended which gave me the knowledge to lead the development of a financial policy for my cooperative. The changes we have seen in our revenue since this policy was developed is huge. We have good savings, and we are spending efficiently.
    Juma Shakila
    Cassava farmer and head of the Po River Cassava Cooperative, Liberia

    Videos

    Resources

    ITC contact

    Anna
    Summer
    Email
    asummer [at] intracen.org