By Nontokozo Gwebu
Africa’s trade future must not overlook its largest and most dynamic demographic, placing women and youth at the forefront of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation.
This was stated by Senate President, Lindiwe Dlamini, at the IBHUMA Business Dinner held at Summerfield Botanical Garden, hosted by Bracefield Investment Group (BIG) – a South African company, in collaboration with local strategic partner Pinaco & Co.
The dinner, an exclusive, high-impact gathering, was designed to foster strategic dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and ecosystem alignment around the shared mission of advancing entrepreneurship and SMME development in Eswatini.
For Dlamini, the focus was clear: escalating the participation of women and youth in trade and ensuring they are at the centre of the AfCFTA agenda.
She stressed the need for deliberate efforts to create opportunities, build awareness, and strengthen policies that will open doors for women and youth in all sectors, particularly those affected by high levels of informality and limited access to finance.
“We need to ensure that we are not left behind as women and youth, that we are participating meaningfully and fully in trade,” she said. “As Senate President of Eswatini, I stand as a champion for women entrepreneurs. I pledge to advocate for policies that support women-led businesses, ensure their inclusion in trade agreements, and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.”
She applauded the IBHUMA initiative, founded by Linda Shiba, for bringing stakeholders together and for creating a platform that promotes regional trade while advocating for the economic empowerment of previously underrepresented groups in trade.
The Senate President also emphasized the importance of capacity building and awareness campaigns, especially at the grassroots level, to ensure no one is left behind. She said Eswatini must continue to support and encourage women and youth to venture into trade and expand their businesses beyond borders.
“Let us commit to driving inclusivity and equity in our approach to trade and development. The AfCFTA is not just about goods and services; it is about people, especially those who have long been excluded from formal trade systems,” she said.