AfCFTA: Africa's businesswomen get on board

December 17, 2021

The commitment of African women was affirmed at the first International Forum of Enterprising and Dynamic Women (FIED) held from 14 to 16 December in Kinshasa.

Under the patronage of H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, current Chairman of the African Union, the International Forum of Enterprising and Dynamic Women held its very first General Assembly at the Congo River Hotel in Kinshasa, DRC from 14 to 16 December 2021. The event themed “Accelerating the momentum of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with the active contribution of Dynamic Women Entrepreneurs for the revival of the post-Covid 19 African Economy”, brought together outstanding women from different parts of the world. Amongst the various topics discussed, the financing of imports and exports of women's production in the AfCFTA and the need to create a Pan-African Women's Bank were prime.

Speaking at the event, the founding president, Ms. Djélika YEO, an influential woman and networker in many capacities, described the FIED as “a pragmatic and concrete response to the problem of women's empowerment, given the various innovative solutions it proposes”, and has as main objective to offer women the necessary tools for the development and strengthening of their potential in order to make them internationally recognized champions. This event offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to be visible and connected to the world, to develop win-win business partnerships through influential networking and provide financial support for different projects.