The Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez, recently unveiled the program ‘She Exports to Africa’, a collaboration between the Colombian government and the Women Entrepreneur Fund. This initiative aims to boost the country’s exports to the African continent while simultaneously strengthening the economic autonomy of Colombian women.

With enthusiasm, Márquez stated that 30 businesswomen from marginalized areas will receive support to ensure their ventures gain a prominent position in international trade. This declaration was made in the presence of Rigathi Gachagua, the Vice President of Kenya, emphasizing the importance of bolstering female economic autonomy.

María Fernanda Reyes, the head of the Women Entrepreneur Fund, provided further details about ‘She Exports to Africa’ in an interview with a Colombian newspaper. According to Reyes, the main goal is to enhance the internationalization of companies led by women who have yet to tap into the African market. While they might have exported to other regions, Africa is deemed crucial, especially now as there is a push to strengthen South-South relations.

Regarding funding, the program kicks off with an investment of $4.5 billion. However, the aspirations are high, hoping to double that amount in the coming years. Despite being in its inaugural year, it is expected that between 2024 and 2025, new cohorts of women entrepreneurs will join the program, thereby expanding exports and trade consolidation with Africa.

Lastly, it’s vital to highlight that this is not just an effort of training and technical assistance. The Women Entrepreneur Fund plans to co-finance the necessary adaptations in these businesses to ensure a successful landing in the African market. Beyond investing time, significant resources will be allocated to implement suggested changes and guarantee an effective internationalization process.