WTO-ITC High-Level Event on Women and Trade

On the margins of the 14^th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are co-hosting the second edition of the WTO-ITC High-Level Event on Women and Trade.

The event brings together women entrepreneurs, development and corporate partners, and WTO Members to focus on what helps women-led businesses access markets, grow and compete. It will highlight three areas of work: the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund launched in 2024 by the WTO Secretariat and ITC, the ITC SheTrades Initiative, and the WTO Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender.

Registration deadline

Please register your interest by 22 February 2026, 23:59 (Central European Time).

Successful applicants will be notified by email.

Important information

Participation is self-funded. Please note that the WTO and ITC are not in a position to sponsor travel, accommodation, visas or per diem for participants. Participation is therefore intended for those who will be in Yaoundé for MC14 or who can make their own arrangements.

Programme

View the programme for 25 March 2026 here.

Event highlights

<p data-start="324" data-end="866" class="font-big text-left"><span style="color: rgb(200, 64, 71);" data-mce-style="color: rgb(200, 64, 71);"><strong>WEIDE Fund: Scaling women-led exports with digital trade</strong></span></p><p class="text-left">A focused look at how women entrepreneurs are using digital trade to reach new markets, and what support helps them move faster.</p><p class="text-left">Expect real lessons from implementation, including what is holding women back, what is working, and how partners can help unlock access to finance, logistics, digital tools and market connections.</p>

WEIDE Fund: Scaling women-led exports with digital trade

A focused look at how women entrepreneurs are using digital trade to reach new markets, and what support helps them move faster.

Expect real lessons from implementation, including what is holding women back, what is working, and how partners can help unlock access to finance, logistics, digital tools and market connections.

<p class="font-big text-left"><span style="color: rgb(200, 64, 71);" data-mce-style="color: rgb(200, 64, 71);">SheTrades Innovation Festival: Made by African women, ready for the world</span></p><p class="text-left">Five young African women innovators take the stage in a pitch contest to present solutions that are grounded, tested and built for real needs, with the potential to scale.</p><p class="text-left">The session spotlights innovation across areas like climate resilience, food systems, fintech, healthcare and digital inclusion.</p>

SheTrades Innovation Festival: Made by African women, ready for the world

Five young African women innovators take the stage in a pitch contest to present solutions that are grounded, tested and built for real needs, with the potential to scale.

The session spotlights innovation across areas like climate resilience, food systems, fintech, healthcare and digital inclusion.

<p class="font-big text-left"><span style="color: rgb(200, 64, 71);" data-mce-style="color: rgb(200, 64, 71);">WTO IWG on Trade & Gender: Taking stock and launching new milestones</span></p><p class="text-left">Members of the IWG will take stock of current work on inclusive trade, including the launch of the IWG Co-Chairs’ joint statement and its new compendium bringing together the Group’s work since 2020. </p><p class="text-left">The session will also look ahead, with the launch of a new joint IWG–MSME Group initiative on “Empowering Women to Trade through Digitalisation: Policy Insights.”</p>

WTO IWG on Trade & Gender: Taking stock and launching new milestones

Members of the IWG will take stock of current work on inclusive trade, including the launch of the IWG Co-Chairs’ joint statement and its new compendium bringing together the Group’s work since 2020.

The session will also look ahead, with the launch of a new joint IWG–MSME Group initiative on “Empowering Women to Trade through Digitalisation: Policy Insights.”

Networking reception

Wrap up the day by connecting with women entrepreneurs and partners.

The reception spotlights the ACRAM Gender Committee’s roadmap, next steps for women in the coffee value chain, and a pilot on women’s access to finance designed to inform regional approaches. The SheTrades Innovation Festival winner will be announced.

Made possible through the EU-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme.

Venue

Palais des Congrès

Yaoundé