As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, themed “Accelerate Action”, we turn our focus to the women shaping Africa’s trade landscape. Across the continent, women play a pivotal role in commerce, agriculture, and exports, driving economic growth and creating opportunities within their communities. Yet, despite their immense contributions, barriers still exist that limit their full participation in global markets.

At Fluna, we see these challenges firsthand. We work with women-led agribusinesses, exporters, and entrepreneurs who navigate complex supply chains, fluctuating markets, and trade restrictions, all while building sustainable businesses that fuel Africa’s economic future.

Women Driving Africa’s Trade Economy

Women in Africa make up nearly 70% of the agricultural workforce, producing a significant share of the food that feeds the continent and is exported globally. In sectors like shea, cocoa, coffee, cashews, and fresh produce, women are at the forefront, ensuring the quality and supply of some of Africa’s most sought-after commodities.

Take West Africa’s shea industry, for example. It employs over 16 million women, many of whom are smallholder farmers who depend on exports to sustain their families. In East Africa, women in coffee production are not only farmers but also processors, quality controllers, and exporters, playing a vital role in ensuring African coffee meets international standards.

Despite these contributions, women-owned businesses account for only 16.3% of exporters in Africa. Limited access to financing, market opportunities, and regulatory knowledge continues to hinder their ability to scale. If we want to accelerate action, we must address these structural gaps and provide women with the tools they need to compete in global trade.

Breaking Barriers: What Needs to Change?

African women in trade face challenges that go beyond business operations. Some of the biggest barriers include:

• Financing Gaps – Only 10% of women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have access to the financing they need. Without access to funding, scaling an export business remains difficult.
• Market Access – While global demand for African commodities is rising, many women-led businesses struggle to find international buyers due to a lack of trade networks and export experience.
• Regulatory Hurdles – From EUDR compliance to certification challenges, African women in trade often face difficulty navigating complex international trade regulations.

To accelerate progress, financial inclusion must be improved, access to trade education expanded, and policies created that support women-led businesses in scaling their impact.

Fluna’s Commitment to Women in Trade

At Fluna, we believe that empowering women in trade is key to unlocking Africa’s full economic potential. Through our trade finance solutions, support, and export market access, we are creating pathways for women-led businesses to succeed.

We are also investing in knowledge-building through Fluna Academy, where women exporters can access free resources on global trade, certifications, and compliance. So far, we’ve trained over 500 exporters, ensuring that women entrepreneurs have the insights they need to navigate international markets and grow their businesses.

Beyond education, Fluna is also connecting women-led agricultural businesses to the European market via our Fluna Farmer Collective (FFC). We are providing them with our structured distribution in Europe while securing fair prices and reliable trade partnerships for their business. We also collaborate with trade organisations to advocate for policies that reduce barriers for women exporters and support more inclusive trade ecosystems.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience and innovation of women in African trade. But more importantly, we recognise that real change requires action.

The future of Africa’s trade is female. It’s time to level the playing field, close the gap, and ensure that African women-led businesses thrive in global markets.

At Fluna, we’re committed to being part of this change. Are you?

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