MANCHESTER, UK – Fifty women-led businesses from Africa and Asia have connected with UK companies in a trade mission aimed at diversifying supply chains and expanding global trade opportunities.
The event, held from February 10-12 in Manchester, brought together entrepreneurs from ten countries—Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal, and Pakistan—to explore business collaborations with British buyers.
The initiative is part of the UK Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, designed to support women entrepreneurs in breaking into international markets.
The delegation engaged in business-to-business meetings, visited UK companies, and attended industry-specific information sessions.
Participants represented sectors such as agrifood, textiles and apparel, handicrafts, beauty, information technology, and business process outsourcing.
UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bridging trade gaps for women entrepreneurs.
“Women entrepreneurs across the world face greater challenges to export compared to their male counterparts, with fewer connections to buyer networks and limited access to key market information. Our SheTrades Commonwealth+ programme aims to counter that—connecting women entrepreneurs from across Asia and Africa to British businesses, increasing choice for British consumers, and supporting domestic growth. It’s a win-win,” she said.
The event was organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and other UK-based chambers.
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton highlighted the mission’s role in fostering gender-inclusive economic growth.
“We’re laying the foundation for women entrepreneurs to meet directly with buyers, scale up their businesses, and access new markets, benefiting from global trade opportunities,” she stated.
Among the participants were nine women-led Kenyan businesses specializing in agrifood exports, including Interveg Exports EPZ, Karakuta Fresh Produce, and Trueways Enterprises Ltd.
These businesses showcased fresh and processed food products, reinforcing Kenya’s position as a key supplier to the UK market.
Susana Córdoba, Head of International Trade at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, described the mission as a vital step toward strengthening global trade ties.
“The contacts that have been made here between British businesses and those from across Africa and Asia will strengthen our global ties and lead to future commercial success,” she noted.
By facilitating direct engagement between UK buyers and women entrepreneurs from emerging markets, the trade mission aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing while promoting high-quality international trade.
The initiative is expected to open new market avenues for women-led enterprises, fostering economic empowerment and long-term business growth.
