Telling the trade stories of least developed countries

For as long as gender inequalities persist in international trade and in the key industries that drive economic growth in the least developed countries (LDCs), women and girls will not benefit as much as men and boys. Such inequalities are often more present in the most overlooked parts of production – among informal traders, small and microenterprises, but also among individual suppliers of raw materials and workers – many of whom are women. This is why over 60% of beneficiaries supported via the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) are women, and why the EIF launched the Empower Women, Power Trade initiative in 2019. An independent evaluation sought to gauge progress in achieving economic justice for all in settings where both poverty and inequalities are most prominent.

In Africa, the unique experience of each of the 16 million rural women who make a living from shea inspires us more and more every day. Shea is an important crop, both economically and socially. It employs 4 million women for export and generates USD 237 million a year in income at the community level in West Africa. At the household level, shea accounts for up to 12% of household income and up to 32% of cash available, which is earned during the lean season.

Over the course of the partnership, Mali has recorded many achievements, including the integration of pro-poor trade into several policies and strategies. It has successfully strengthened the capacity of small producers in several priority sectors, particularly gum arabic, shea, and mango farmers, and strengthened its capacity to mobilize financing from other actors. Its ownership and commitment to making inroads to sustainable trade for development are evident, given the volume of its own financial resources it has contributed.

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