More than 40 young traders from across COMESA, EAC and SADC are meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, from 20–21 May 2026 for the Tripartite Youth and Women Trade Policy Dialogue Forum.
The forum brings together young entrepreneurs, including women in agribusiness, who are already playing an active role in agricultural production, processing, export and cross-border trade across the region.
Held ahead of the Tripartite Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for July 2026, the dialogue forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional integration under the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) and its Simplified Trade Regime (TSTR).
A key focus of the forum is youth-led agribusiness and how young traders can better access regional markets, understand trade rules and participate more effectively in cross-border value chains.
The forum features several young agripreneurs whose work reflects the growing contribution of youth to Africa’s agricultural trade.
From Tanzania, Ms. Rose Chimilila, Founder and CEO of Chimi Group Company Limited, is building structured value chains for avocados and beans while linking smallholder farmers to regional and international markets. Her company has been recognised as an Upcoming SME Export Company.
From Zambia, Mr. Mutini Cheta, co-owner of Wattles and Combs, is contributing to poultry production and animal feed manufacturing. The company produces more than 75,000 broilers annually and is developing affordable local feed solutions to reduce costs for farmers and improve productivity.
Zimbabwe’s Mr. Prudence Musvaire, co-founder of Bliss Produce, represents a diversified agribusiness model covering honey production, peanut butter processing and goat farming. His enterprise has also connected local production to international markets, including exports to Dubai.
From Lesotho, Mr. Sekoati Sekoati, founder of Maluting Agro-Tech, is working in medicinal and culinary herbs while using innovation and technology to position indigenous products in global value chains. His trade engagements include markets such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is represented by Mr. Makuwe Bolobo Junior, CEO of Groupe Makuwe, whose work covers agro-processing in cocoa, maize, cassava and groundnut value chains. He also supports young entrepreneurs through mentorship and SME development.
The Nairobi dialogue is expected to help young traders better understand the TFTA and TSTR, while also giving them a platform to raise the practical challenges they face in accessing regional markets.
Participants will engage policymakers directly, identify barriers to youth and women participation in trade, and propose solutions to improve market access across COMESA, EAC and SADC.
One of the main expected outcomes is the development of a Tripartite Youth and Women Trade Declaration. The declaration will capture the priorities and recommendations of young traders and is expected to be submitted to the Tripartite Heads of State and Government.
The forum highlights the growing role of youth and women in regional trade and agribusiness. It also reinforces the need for stronger trade skills, better access to facilitation tools and closer engagement between entrepreneurs and policymakers to support more inclusive regional markets.