Arusha, Tanzania – 24 October 2025
The final day of the Regional Training Workshop on Navigating Cross-Border Trade of Agroecological Products focused on the theme “Empowering Women and Youth to Drive Inclusive Agroecology and Trade.” The sessions provided an opportunity for participants to consolidate lessons from the week, explore gender and youth dimensions of agroecological trade, and outline country-level strategies for implementing inclusive AfCFTA and EAC frameworks.
Participants revisited the policy and legal foundations of gender and youth empowerment across regional and continental frameworks. The discussions emphasised that inclusive agroecology is central to achieving Africa’s trade and development goals — a principle enshrined in both EAC and AfCFTA instruments.
Key frameworks highlighted included:
- EAC Treaty (Articles 121–122): Mandating Partner States to ensure women’s participation in socio-economic development and decision-making.
- EAC Gender Policy (2018): Providing a regional framework for mainstreaming gender across trade, agriculture, and community development.
- EAC Vision 2050: Recognizing women and youth as transformative agents for sustainable growth and regional integration.
- AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade (2024): Establishing legally binding obligations for inclusion, access to finance, representation, and protection from discrimination in trade.
- AU Agenda 2063, Aspiration 6: Reinforcing continental commitment to gender equality, digital inclusion, and youth-driven economic growth.
Through these instruments, participants reaffirmed that empowerment is not a social add-on but an economic necessity — vital for scaling agroecological enterprises, boosting cross-border trade, and achieving resilient food systems.
Empowering Women as Guardians of Agroecological Knowledge
The first session of the day focused on the critical role of women in preserving Africa’s agroecological heritage. Women account for over 50% of the EAC population and nearly 80% of smallholder farmers, yet continue to face barriers to land ownership, finance, and decision-making.
Participants discussed how women’s traditional knowledge sustains seed diversity, soil fertility, and biodiversity, forming the foundation of agroecological systems. However, limited access to credit, training, and markets hinders their potential contribution to regional trade.
The EAC Gender Policy and the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade (Articles 10–16) were cited as tools to address these barriers through:
- Affirmative action for women-led cooperatives and agroenterprises.
- Gender-responsive trade and investment policies.
- Creation of Green Women’s Trade Funds through regional development banks
- Legal protection from harassment at borders and inclusion of gender desks in OSBPs.
Group discussions highlighted successful examples of women-led cooperatives in Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania that are exporting organic spices, honey, and herbal teas under the STR and AfCFTA frameworks.
Youth as Drivers of Innovation and Green Entrepreneurship
The second session explored the dynamic role of youth in scaling agroecological trade through digital innovation and green entrepreneurship. With youth constituting over 60% of the EAC population, participants identified digital literacy and access to finance as critical enablers of participation.
Discussions showcased how youth are leveraging technology to expand agroecological markets:
- E-commerce platforms and social media marketing for organic produce.
- AI-based agricultural apps providing climate-smart guidance and e-extension services.
- Recycling and eco-packaging start-ups that support sustainable value chains.
The AfCFTA Protocol (Articles 10–11) promotes skills development, financing, and innovation for youth-led ventures. Participants examined emerging models of youth entrepreneurship, such as innovation hubs, agritech incubators, and trade accelerators supported by EAC Partner States.
Group Presentations — Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Actions
Participants formed country groups to identify key barriers, opportunities, and policy actions to enhance gender and youth inclusion in agroecological trade.
Commonly identified barriers included:
- Gender disparities in land tenure and ownership.
- Limited access to credit and collateral.
- Lack of targeted training in standards, certification, and value addition.
- Persistent gender-based harassment in trade corridors.
Opportunities identified:
- Leveraging the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade for capacity building and representation.
- Expanding access to green and climate finance for MSMEs and cooperatives.
- Scaling digital trade platforms and e-learning modules on agroecology.
- Creating community trade hubs linking producers to regional buyers.
Proposed policy actions:
- Establish national Gender and Trade Implementation Units to monitor progress.
- Incorporate gender impact assessments into trade policy reviews.
- Institutionalise gender-sensitive extension services within Ministries of Agriculture.
- Promote the inclusion of women and youth in AfCFTA and EAC National Trade Committees.
Tracking Progress — Indicators for Empowerment
The session also reviewed measurable indicators for tracking gender and youth inclusion between 2025 and 2030, drawn from the AfCFTA Protocol and EAC Gender Policy:
| Outcome | Indicator |
| Increased participation of women and youth in regional agroecological trade | % of women/youth-led cooperatives trading under STR and AfCFTA |
| Enhanced financial inclusion | Number of agroecological MSMEs accessing credit or insurance |
| Improved access to trade information | Number of traders using e-commerce and market portals |
| Reduction in border harassment cases | Functioning grievance and reporting mechanisms in OSBPs |
| Mainstreamed gender in trade policy | Number of trade policies with gender impact assessments |
Participants agreed that harmonised data collection, continuous capacity building, and institutional collaboration are crucial to sustaining measurable progress.
Closing Reflections and Certificates Ceremony
The workshop concluded with closing reflections from facilitators and participants, who emphasised that inclusive agroecology is not only a production model but a governance principle — one that demands partnership between policymakers, private sector actors, and communities.
Participants appreciated ESAMI–trapca, and AFSA, and the for curating a practical and transformative learning experience. They expressed commitment to translating the workshop knowledge into tangible country-level initiatives such as:
- Developing inclusive trade facilitation training modules for border agencies.
- Supporting women’s cooperatives to participate in agroecological export markets.
- Integrating digital tools and e-commerce into community-based agroecology networks.
Certificates of participation were awarded, marking the successful completion of a week-long capacity-building programme that blended policy, practice, and participation.