UNDP and Partners Launch AfCFTA Export Readiness Programme in Freetown

In a major step toward boosting Sierra Leone’s participation in continental trade, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the ECOWAS Commission, the Government of Sierra Leone, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the International Trade Centre, and GIZ to launch a three-day regional programme on AfCFTA Export Readiness in Freetown.

The high-level initiative brings together business support organisations, women-led enterprises, and youth-owned businesses with a central focus on preparing Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs to compete beyond national borders and access Africa’s growing single market under the AfCFTA framework.

At the core of the programme is the goal of transforming local businesses into export-ready enterprises capable of trading competitively across the continent.

For many participants, particularly young entrepreneurs and women-led businesses, the programme represents more than technical training. It is being viewed as a critical opportunity to overcome long-standing barriers such as limited access to regional markets, financing constraints, and gaps in digital trade knowledge.

Opening the programme, development partners outlined three key expected outcomes: improved firm-level export readiness, enhanced knowledge of digital trade tools, and increased participation of women in regional trade.

In a country where small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the economy, the initiative is being welcomed as a timely intervention aimed at bridging the gap between local production and international market access.

Many women entrepreneurs in attendance expressed optimism that the training would help position them to scale their businesses beyond domestic markets, where challenges such as limited exposure, certification barriers, and restricted access to trade information often hinder growth.

“You cannot talk about economic transformation without women and young people at the centre,” one participant said on the sidelines of the opening session.

The programme also underscores the growing importance of digital trade tools, as regional commerce increasingly shifts toward e-commerce platforms, online marketplaces, and digital payment systems.

For Sierra Leone, the initiative aligns with broader national efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen private sector participation in regional trade under the AfCFTA agreement.

As the three-day engagement continues, expectations remain high that the training will translate into practical business growth, stronger export capacity, and expanded opportunities for Sierra Leone’s emerging entrepreneurs.

For participants, the message from Freetown is clear: Africa’s single market is open—but readiness will determine who benefits.