Africa-Press – Botswana. From budding entrepreneurs to seasoned business owners, women in the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector gathered in Gaborone on Wednesday for a workshop aimed at empowering them to tap into the vast potential of global trade.
The training was organised by Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn (DHL), a global leader in logistics and transportation, in partnership with the Women In Business Association (WIBA) under the theme: Trade and Grow Beyond Borders.
The facilitator, DHL Country Manager Mr Bob Marjawar underscored the importance of equipping women with necessary tools and knowledge to navigate international markets, especially in light of the upcoming African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We believe women are in a prime position to benefit from the free trade area. Knowledge and access to the right information will be key in helping them seize the opportunities that come with it,” said Mr Marjawar. He acknowledged the fear and hesitation that many felt when it came to international trade, often perceived as overly complex.
“DHL wants to use its expertise, global reach, and integrated services to demystify global trade,” he added, expressing the company’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting them through the full workshop series. Mr Marjawar said future sessions will cover topics such as setting up an online store, international shipping logistics, payment systems, and DHL’s tools that simplify cross-border trade.
Despite current global challenges, including economic strain from ongoing wars and US imposed tariffs on imports from several African countries, Mr Marjawar highlighted emerging opportunities such as e-commerce. “With a good website, anyone can sell to the world,” he said.
WIBA Chairperson, Ms Christinah Leshego expressed appreciation for the partnership with DHL, calling it ‘an answered prayer’ for women entrepreneurs, especially in the face of logistical challenges encountered during initiatives like the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
“Logistics has always been a mammoth problem for us,” she noted, appreciating the significance of the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WIBA and DHL. “With DHL by our side, we stand a better chance of excelling in the upcoming Free Trade Area as Batswana female entrepreneurs.”
Participants in the workshop expressed heartfelt gratitude to DHL for the training. For some, like Ms Marcia Sento, a canned foods entrepreneur, the knowledge shared provided hope after years of facing nearly insurmountable obstacles.
“There are always barriers when I try to sell my products to customers. To be honest, I often end up smuggling them just to make a sale,” she confessed, expressing optimism that the workshop would help her find more sustainable and legal solutions.
As part of its commitment to breaking down global trade barriers for women, DHL also runs DHL For Her, a programme dedicated to empowering women in business and promoting them into leadership roles. The workshop series will continue online via Zoom over the next three months.
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