On the sidelines of the Biashara Afrika conference in Kigali, a significant partnership was formalized between ECOWAS and AeTrade Group in October 2024. Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, representing the ECOWAS Commission as Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, and Mr. Mulualem Syoum, CEO of AeTrade Group, signed an agreement aimed at enhancing market access for SMEs, women, and youths in West Africa through AeTrade's digital platforms like Sokokuu.Africa and 50MAWSP. This initiative is expected to promote digital and financial inclusion while creating jobs across West Africa.
The signing followed a strategic meeting held at AeTrade Group's Continental Headquarters on October 8th, 2024. The meeting included both physical and virtual participation from COMESA, EAC Secretariat, and ECOWAS.
Professor Fatou Sow Sarr provided insights into the 50 Million African Women Speak Platform (50MAWSP) during the meeting. She shared information about the efforts of the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) since its inception and its future vision for sustaining such initiatives within the region.
The team at AeTrade Group introduced their integrated ecosystem to the ECOWAS delegation. They highlighted how Sokokuu.Africa supports MSMEs by enhancing competitiveness in trade and promoting 'Made in Africa' products both continentally and globally.
In recent months, AeTrade Group has made strides in building digital trade infrastructure to increase visibility for women- and youth-led SMEs on platforms like Sokokuu.Africa. Over 330 partners have joined this initiative under a shared prosperity model that remains open to new participants.
AeTrade Group plans to implement innovative strategies using advanced tools for financial inclusion to boost job creation and entrepreneurship among youth within agricultural value chains—a priority outlined in their Action Plan aimed at strengthening food systems continent-wide.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to fortify this partnership further by improving operational modalities to achieve impactful results in digital trade. The focus will be on enhancing trade capacity for marginalized groups within the ECOWAS Region including MSMEs, women, youth, and rural communities under AfCFTA benefits.
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