Women, youth and people with disabilities to benefit from improved cross-border trade across DRC, Mozambique and Zambia
Ottawa, November 25, 2024 –A $9.7 million CAD project entitled Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade (FIRST), funded by Global Affairs Canada, will support policy and institutional improvements to boost small-scale cross-border trade between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique and Zambia.
“We look forward to working with Cowater International and the FIRST Project, which is funded by Global Affairs Canada, to improve the trading environment of small-scale cross-border traders, especially women, youth and traders living with disabilities”, highlighted Lilian Bwalaya, Permanent Secretary, Zambian Ministry of Commerce and Trade.
The 5-year (2024-29) initiative will provide support across three major pillars. First, reduce gender-based barriers in trade policy implementation to enhance the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Project will increase economic opportunities for women and other marginalized groups, including youth and people with disabilities (PWD) by addressing local, context-specific trade barriers. Second, improve access by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including women, youth and people with disabilities (PWD) who are engaged in small-scale cross-border trade, to the socio-economic benefits of more inclusive and environmentally sustainable trade. Third, enhance the institutional capacities of the Ministries of Trade and sectoral stakeholders in the three target countries to make better use of gender-inclusive trade data to inform policy design and implementation. For example, FIRST will work to implement the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) at the Kasumbalesa border post, between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and will deploy digital tools to streamline trade processes and procedures created by the AfCFTA and regional organizations.
“The small-scale cross-border trader (SSCBT) community, especially women, youth and people with disabilities, need support so that small-scale trade can be facilitated. We are happy to be working with FIRST Project at Kasumbalesa to ease the challenges faced by SSCBTs”, said Tony Nguni, Zambia National Coordinator, Cross-Border Trade Association.
FIRST will benefit approximately 300,000 SSCBTs and their dependents, including women, youth and persons with disabilities, through the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime on the Zambian and DR Congo side of Kasumbalesa border crossing. The improved trading environment and economic opportunities delivered under the project are expected to indirectly benefit an estimated 1.3 million people, including government officials, representatives of trade-related institutions and research organizations.
About Cowater International
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
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