On the 27th June we launched our third cohort of the Export Trade Training (ETT) programme aimed at women’s export businesses in SACU+M countries. Keynote speakers included Rebecca Tron, Head of Economic Growth, Southern Africa at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, TFSA Programme Lead Steve Orr, Shireen-Ann Onia, Project Manager & Learning & Development Specialist for Future Females, Veyrl Adell, Lead Technical Expert in Women in Trade; Corban Thomas, Project Manager at ITRISA and Lorraine Baloyi, Client Liaison at SoundIdea.
In attendance of the launch were TFSA’s 9 coaches and the 5 women focused business support organisations we have partnered with to facilitate the ETT training to the 106 successful applicants. During the call Rebecca Tron had the following word of encouragement to the women business leaders.
“The ambition for the programme was never that it was business as usual. We want to see real growth, real change and positive impact in you and your business. So I encourage you to continue engaging with us on how we can further increase the reach of your businesses to markets across Africa, the UK and the rest of the globe.”
Participants were also introduced to the ETT portal and the TFSA school of export and the 7-module course they will be engaging in over the next 9 weeks with assistance of their country dedicated coaches.
The ETT programme is part of the suite of service offerings by the Trade Forward Southern Africa programme. TFSA has created this training as to enhance knowledge transfer opportunities for women’s knowledge for improved export trade.
Recognising that women are underrepresented in trade and exporting companies, and that they face varied and disproportionate barriers to trade, TFSA offers key services and support to women to overcome these challenges:
- Access to trade information relevant to Southern African women entrepreneurs
- Participation in events aimed at supporting women in trade
- Access to sector-specific training through women-focused business support partners
- Coaching through self-paced, multi-media training providing women with a roadmap to export success
TFSA’s Exporter Training Programme for women in trade has to date empowered more than 150 women-led businesses across the SACU+M countries. Here’s what some of our alumni of TFSA women in trade had to say about the course and its impact on their businesses:
”After completing the programme I have already closed some of the gaps to get my business ready to export globally. From the vast knowledge gained I feel confident that I will realise my dream of exporting my products internationally.” Mampho Ntsekhe, Leeto Snacks, Lesotho
”I got a lot of assistance in terms of sourcing and even got connected to buyers in Belgium through interactions with our mentors. I also got the opportunity to export to Eswatini for the very first time from a client we met on the TFSA group.” Lufuno Rasoesoe, TOSH Detergents, South Africa
”I highly recommend this programme to small businesses who are looking into exporting. It has helped me understand how exporting works.”
Bonnie Otsetswe Basima, Chubby Bunny Marshmallows, Botswana
If you run a woman-led business operating in SACU+M that produces products and are looking to enter export trade, this programme is a great opportunity for you to start your export journey. Please reach out to the following business support organisations to find out more information for the next call for training.
| Botswana | Africa WiB | Shiphra Chisha | shiphra.chisha@africanwib.com |
| Eswatini | Swaziland Fair Trade | Julie Nixon | julie@swazifairtrade.org |
| Lesotho | Association for Women in Small Business | Sebabatso Masienyane | smasienyane104@gmail.com |
| Mozambique | TBD/Future Females/Africa WiB | Work in progress | Work in progress |
| Namibia | Minori Skinsfiled | Sandra Mwihangele | sandra@minoriskinfield.com |
| Namibia | Akoma Trading | Beatrice Schultz | hello@beatriceadomaschultz.com |
| South Africa | Africa Wib | Shiphra Chisha | shiphra.chisha@africanwib.com |
