WeeklySA_AdminAGRI-FOOD: Thirty-five women-led agri-food businesses in Mozambique explore export opportunities after two days of intensive talks with international buyers…
By WSAM Reporter
MANICA, Mozambique — Thirty-five companies led by Mozambican women have begun forging new export partnerships with buyers from the United Kingdom and South Africa following a two-day trade mission aimed at expanding market access for women entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector.
The SheTrades Manica Trade Mission, held from March 11 and 12, brought together women-owned businesses and six international importers for business-to-business meetings, field visits and negotiations in Mozambique’s Manica province.
The initiative forms part of the SheTrades Commonwealth+ (STC+) Programme, funded by the UK government through the British High Commission in Maputo and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the Institute for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (IPEME).
During the mission, international buyers visited production sites in Maputo and Manica provinces, giving them an opportunity to assess the quality, scale and export readiness of Mozambican enterprises operating in the fresh and processed agri-food sectors.
The meetings allowed buyers and producers to move beyond presentations and begin exploring concrete terms for long-term supply agreements.
The delegation also held discussions with Mozambique Airport Handling Services and LAM Mozambique Airlines in Maputo to examine logistics solutions that could facilitate export routes for agricultural products.
Trade cooperation opportunities between the United Kingdom, Mozambique and South Africa were also discussed during meetings with British Deputy High Commissioner Dominic Ashton.
Vania Cardoso, Private Sector Development Advisor at the British High Commission in Maputo, said the programme reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in Mozambique.
“The UK continues to invest in the people, businesses and talent of women leading the agricultural sector in Mozambique, including here in Manica.
With this year’s SheTrades mission, which brought buyers from the UK and South Africa, we are creating real opportunities for local businesses to grow, export and prosper,” she said.
IPEME Director-General Félix Malate said strengthening women-owned businesses was essential for economic development.
“Investing in female entrepreneurship is investing in the prosperity of families, the development of communities and the sustainable growth of the national economy,” Malate said.
He added that IPEME is working to digitise the country’s business ecosystem through the e-MPME platform, which will allow companies to access public services, financing opportunities and business support programmes.
The mission builds on the success of a 2025 trade mission that brought buyers from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria to Mozambique. That initiative led to follow-up support programmes, including training in packaging and labelling and mentoring for women entrepreneurs to help them meet international export standards.
The STC+ Programme focuses on increasing the quality and volume of exports from women-led agri-food businesses to the UK and regional markets. In addition to facilitating market access, it provides training, institutional support for business organisations and advocacy for gender-inclusive trade policies.
The programme is implemented by the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, which works to help small and medium-sized enterprises in developing economies compete in global markets.
