SEATINI Uganda Participates in the AfCFTA Week

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers Africa an opportunity to trade through a single, continent-wide market for goods and services bringing together over 1.2 billion people. AfCFTA has potential to enable Africa to significantly boost intra-Africa trade, improve economies of scale and to establish an integrated market.

During the multi-stakeholder dialogue that was organized by UNDP Uganda and other partners as part of the AfCFTA Week (7th – 11th March 2022), SEATINI Uganda was represented by the Executive Director, Ms. Jane Nalunga.

Ms Jane Nalunga, Executive Director, SEATINI Uganda emphasized the need for women to be on the table in order to effectively participate in the ongoing AfCFTA negotiations. This will necessitate building capacity of women along various issues that promote trade and their equitable participation and also addressing other issues that hinder their participation.

‘‘If women are not on the table, then they are part of the menu,’’ Nalunga said.

In order for women to effectively participate in the AfCFTA negotiations, there is need to build their capacity
The AfCFTA Week discussions brought together stakeholders including representatives from Civil Society Organizations, relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Private Sector, Diplomats, development partners, academia, women business leaders and youth entrepreneurs.

SEATINI Uganda is committed to working closely with relevant institutions, Governmental and Inter-Governmental Bodies towards ensuring that the perceived opportunities of the AfCFTA become a reality for the MSMEs, Women and Youth bearing in mind environmental sustainability and that the negative impacts of the AfCFTA are mitigated.