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
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.