Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey urges Canada to boost women’s trade participation

Ghana's Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for deepened collaboration between Canada and African nations to enhance economic prospects for women. Speaking at the Canada–Africa Policy Roundtable in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Minister emphasized that addressing structural barriers is essential to ensuring women can participate fully and equitably in both domestic and international markets.

Dr. Lartey identified three primary areas for future cooperation: access to finance, participation in trade, and comprehensive skills development. She pointed out that while women are major contributors to African economies, they often face significant hurdles in accessing the capital and technical expertise needed to scale their businesses. By focusing on these pillars, the Minister noted that international partners can help bridge the gender gap in economic participation and foster more inclusive growth.

The Minister also highlighted the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in linking women-led enterprises to larger, more lucrative markets. She noted that Canada has already initiated several projects in Ghana aimed at supporting women's market participation, but argued that more robust interventions are required to address ongoing inequalities. Dr. Lartey stressed that empowering women through trade is not just a social imperative but a strategic economic necessity for the continent.

To sustain this progress, Dr. Lartey advocated for a unified strategy that aligns Canadian development assistance with the specific needs of African women entrepreneurs. She concluded by calling for policy frameworks that integrate women-owned businesses into global value chains, ensuring that the benefits of trade and economic cooperation reach those who have historically been sidelined from major financial opportunities.