From September 24 to 27, 2024, Tunis is hosting a training workshop for Libyan women who lead small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This initiative, launched by the North Africa Office of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade, aims to strengthen the capacities of women entrepreneurs in the areas of export, digitalization, and ecological practices.
The event is part of the broader ECA program to support women-led SMEs in North Africa. Adam Elhiraika, Director of the ECA Office for North Africa, emphasizes the crucial importance of this approach: “In North Africa, where the female labor force participation rate (20.1% in 2024) remains below the continental and global average, SMEs can play a decisive role in creating jobs for women.”
The workshop aims to improve the competitiveness and resilience of women-led businesses. It focuses on three main areas:
- Access to export markets within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Strengthening digital capabilities, particularly the digitization of export activities
- Encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices
This training builds on the success of similar initiatives conducted in Morocco, which have benefited approximately 350 women entrepreneurs. Recently, the project was extended to women-led businesses in Mauritania, demonstrating ECA’s ongoing commitment to promoting female entrepreneurship in the region.
The organization of this workshop in Tunis, with the participation of Libyan entrepreneurs and ministry representatives, illustrates the collaborative and cross-border approach adopted by ECA to address economic challenges in North Africa. By facilitating the emergence and sustainability of women-led businesses, ECA aims to stimulate inclusive economic growth and reduce gender disparities in the workforce.
As the workshop continues until September 27, participants are expected to acquire valuable skills to navigate the ever-evolving economic landscape while contributing to the sustainable development of their businesses and the Libyan economy as a whole.