In a first of its kind policy dialogue, the International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the South Sudan Ministry of Trade and Industry and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, hosted a National Policy Dialogue on the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
The policy dialogue was held between 16-17 July 2025 under the European Union - East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme Phase II (EU-EAC MARKUP II).
Reflecting on his experience at the dialogue, participant Patrick Awio said: “Participating in the policy dialogue was a crucial opportunity to share perspectives on how we can create a more enabling environment for businesses in South Sudan. I believe that through collaborative policymaking, transparent governance, and targeted reforms, we can unlock the immense potential of our private sector and drive sustainable economic growth."
61 participants including women and youth groups engaged in trade, such as entrepreneurs, business associations, business support organizations, and other related sectors attended the dialogue. Policymakers from government institutions—including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Agriculture, and project partners were also present.
The policy dialogue leveraged on ITC’s extensive expertise in supporting women and youth empowerment under ITC’s One Trade Africa Initiative (OTA), SheTrades Initiative and the Youth and Trade Programme. These initiatives support African small and medium enterprises (SMEs), women, and youth entrepreneurs to access and capitalize on the business opportunities created by the AfCFTA.
Objectives of the dialogue
The main objectives of the policy dialogue were:
- Raising awareness of the AfCFTA opportunities for women and youth in South Sudan.
- Encouraging women and youth to fully utilise the Protocol to be competitive in trade
- Sensitising women and youth, as well as policymakers on the role of women and youth in the AfCFTA implementation process.
- Identifying and establishing key priorities for implementing the Protocol and the AfCFTA framework agreement.
- Engaging stakeholders in the development of a sustainable and inclusive action plan for women and youth policies under the AfCFTA.
Why the dialogue matters
The AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade recognizes that women and youth in Africa are already active participants in trade. They constitute informal traders, accounting for an estimated 70 to 80 per cent in certain countries. Yet, they face a set of acute challenges in participating in regional trade opportunities. The AfCFTA can help overcome these challenges by establishing a more stable and transparent trade framework, minimizing non-tariff barriers, and fostering inclusive economic policies that support equitable growth and development.
While South Sudan has signed but not yet ratified the AfCFTA, they are in the process of implementing steps to ratify the agreement.
The National Policy Dialogue is a critical step toward aligning national legal and institutional frameworks with the provisions of the Protocol. It aims to support the Protocol's implementation by raising awareness of AfCFTA opportunities for women and youth and encouraging their active participation in trade. By promoting inclusive trade policymaking, the dialogue empowers women and young people while motivating governments to pursue policies that advance economic equity and social justice through the AfCFTA.
During the dialogue, participants were also introduced to practical tools and platforms including AfCFTA Hub, e-tariff book, non-tariff barrier online reporting mechanism, ITC’s SheTrades Academy and ‘How to export under the AfCFTA training modules designed to support women and youth in seizing new market opportunities.
This event is part of a broader series of Women and Youth AfCFTA Dialogues that the ITC plans to organize to sensitise women and youth on teh opportunities under the AfCFTA.
Expected outcomes from the dialogue include identifying key priorities for implementing the Protocol and the AfCFTA framework agreement, and engaging stakeholders in developing a sustainable policy recommendation for women and youth policies under the AfCFTA.
Background
In April 2021, the AfCFTA Secretariat proposed creating an additional Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade. At the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in February 2022, African Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to inclusivity under Article 3(e) of the AfCFTA and endorsed the need for a Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade. This protocol represents a groundbreaking development, marking the first of its kind in the history of trade negotiations where women and youth have been prioritized. The protocol was officially adopted last year at the AU Assembly's 37th Ordinary Session in February 2024.
