** The importance of training for women entrepreneurs as part of the ZLECAF: an opportunity to seize **
The recent capacity building seminar organized in Kinshasa for members of the Women Business Association-DRC association marks a significant step in support for women Congolese entrepreneurs. In an economic context where the continental African free trade area (ZLECAF) presents itself as a potential lever for commercial development in Africa, this type of initiative is of particular importance.
The ZLECAF, which entered into force in January 2021, aims to stimulate intra-African trade by reducing customs barriers and facilitating exchanges between the Member States. To date, it offers a market of 1.5 billion consumers, which is a real boon for entrepreneurs, especially for women, often underrepresented in economic spheres.
** persistent brakes **
Nevertheless, several obstacles remain to be overcome so that women entrepreneurs take full advantage of this market. As Gabriel Mbemba Sita, Director of Human Resources at the General Secretariat for Foreign Trade, pointed out, of challenges such as access limited to funding, administrative harassment, and lack of training are very real. Indeed, a study of fatshimetrics has shown that women in Africa often suffer from systemic discrimination, which prevents them from establishing themselves in the market.
The initiative to train women entrepreneurs on export regulations and the methods of implementing the ZLECAF meets an urgent need to provide them with practical tools. For Betty Mulanga, president of Women Business Association-DC, this training constitutes a crucial step towards the empowerment of women, allowing them to better understand the workings of international trade and to engage in full knowledge of the facts.
** Let us think back access to the market **
It is essential to wonder how this training can actually change the situation. Can experiences to share experiences and demonstration of good practices are enough to remedy the exclusion mechanisms that persist in the entrepreneurial environment? Will participants have access to adequate financial resources to put into practice what they have learned? These questions are fundamental, because the impact of a training project cannot be measured only by the number of participants.
To expand the impact of these initiatives, it seems essential to set up strategic partnerships with financial institutions, NGOs and development agencies. These partnerships could offer credible solutions to the funding problems encountered by women entrepreneurs. In this regard, the strong support of the government, mentioned by the Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, appears as a good starting point, as it is crucial that political decisions accompany the ambitions of the market.
** A long -term vision **
The project, which extends over two years and aims to prepare women for export through targeted training, must be completed by a holistic approach. Such an approach should not only consider the administrative and technical aspects of trade, but also take into account the experience of women in the field. Their testimonies should serve as a common thread to shape future training.
Finally, for the ZLECAF to be only a commercial agreement but a real opportunity for change for African populations, it is imperative that the voices of those who are often silent are heard. The involvement of women in economic and political discussions could also strengthen participatory governance mechanisms, thus promoting real inclusion at all levels.
**Conclusion**
In short, the capacity building seminar for women entrepreneurs in Kinshasa appears to be a glimmer of hope within an often turbulent landscape. The effective implementation of this type of initiatives may well contribute to opening up new perspectives for Congolese women in the trade world, provided that the commitments and resources necessary are there. The Zlecaf, as a space for economic exchanges, has a certain potential; It remains to seize this opportunity with a clear vision and a common will of transformation.