A new strategic partnership signed in Tunis aims to address the significant funding and digital divide faced by women entrepreneurs across Africa. The “Tunis Declaration on Women, Youth, Digitization, and African Economic Integration” was signed on the sidelines of the COMFWB Business and Trade Fair, marking a major commitment to fostering a more inclusive continental economy.
Quick Facts
- New $50 million fund for digital projects.
- Training for 100,000 women and youth by 2028.
- Addresses Africa’s massive gender funding gap.
The declaration formalizes a partnership between the Tunis-based African Center of Excellence for Inclusive Markets (AIMEC), which operates under the African Union Commission, and the Lusaka-based Federation of Associations of Women Entrepreneurs in COMESA (COMFWB). The initiative is designed to accelerate female and youth-led entrepreneurship, advance digital transformation, and strengthen economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Tackling Africa’s Stark Gender Gap
The initiative is a direct response to critical challenges hindering economic growth on the continent. According to data cited in the declaration, women represent over 60% of SME owners in Africa but receive less than 10% of all formal financing.
This financial gap is compounded by a digital divide, with internet access for women at just 33%, compared to 50% for men. The declaration aims to directly confront these issues by creating tangible opportunities for market access and digital upskilling.
A $50M Fund and a Digital Playbook for Growth
Central to the declaration is a five-point action plan with a 2030 horizon. A key pillar is the creation of the “Tunis Fund for Inclusive Markets,” which aims to mobilize $50 million by 2028. This fund, supported by international partners and the African private sector, will finance digital projects and boost productive capacities for women and youth-led businesses.
The plan also includes a large-scale training program to equip 100,000 women and young people with skills in e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and cross-border digital payments by 2028, with an initial focus on COMESA member states.
To enhance visibility and connectivity, the initiative will launch the first pan-African digital directory of women entrepreneurs. Starting with 300 businesses, the platform aims to list 10,000 female-led enterprises by 2028, connecting them directly with potential investors.
Further components include an annual report on the “State of Inclusive Markets in Africa” to monitor regulatory hurdles and an annual forum, held alternately in Tunis and COMESA countries, to track progress.
A Pan-African Call to Action From Tunis
The signatories, including AIMEC Executive Director Ambassador Dr. Youssef Kordofani and COMFWB Executive Director Metti Shika Kola, issued a call to action. They urged African governments to adopt more inclusive trade and digital policies and for African and international financial institutions to establish dedicated financing mechanisms for digital projects.
The event, attended by Leila Jaber Belkhiria, President of the National Chamber of Businesswomen of Tunisia, reinforces Tunisia’s position as a regional hub for driving pan-African economic integration initiatives.
About The Tunis Declaration
The Tunis Declaration is a strategic initiative launched by the African Center of Excellence for Inclusive Markets (AIMEC) and the Federation of Associations of Women Entrepreneurs in COMESA (COMFWB). It aims to promote women and youth entrepreneurship across Africa through targeted programs in digital training, project financing, and market access, supporting the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Source: Express FM
