African Women Investment and Trade Conference COOPERATION & EXCHANGE
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African Business Women (ABW) Connected mission:
To enhance the economic performance of women- led businesses on the continent in the three largest export sectors for women.
1. CRAFT/TEXTILES 2. AGRIBUSINESS for cosmetics 3. TOURISM
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ABW Connected Activities
Market Research Best practices in building long term sustainable trade relationships between Buyers & Sellers
Skills Development •Trade •Technology •Leadership
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Who attends the ABW summit: Sponsored Participants:
Up to 10 leading women from each country; a selection committee will determine participants from each country :
*Leading Companies (2/sector/country) = 6 Leading Business Women Associations (2/country) = 2 Leading Students (2/country) = 2
* Qualifying participant companies must be a leading exporter in the country and make a positive impact to the community
Other participants will include: • • • •
African & International Buyers International & African Associations Government / Donors / Sponsors / Media Other African companies who are interested in learning what it takes to be successful and reach the export market
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ABW Connected Partners
Business Women’s Associations across Africa supporting ABW Connected
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Why ABW Connected?
Throughout Africa, women contribute an average of 60% of the labour force and significantly higher in the craft/textiles, agribusiness and services sectors.
Successful African women entrepreneurs particularly in craft/textile & agribusiness are having a profound impact on uplifting and economically empowering less fortunate women and men, particularly those who are uneducated and living in rural areas.
These companies can work with hundreds and in some cases thousands in rural communities providing wages, healthcare and educational support.
Example: Gone Rural in Swaziland works with 800 rural women and in the last 4 years has doubled their revenue and quadrupled the wages to the rural women producers
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Market Need Unprecedented Global demand in the designated sectors:
Handmade, Artisanal products
Sustainable, Natural and Organic Cosmetics
Local, eco - tourism & voluntourism experiences
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Market Opportunity: ‌‌.bring the buyers to Africa
The best of the best from all of Africa in one location for the first time!
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Summit Agenda
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Sept 22
Sept 23
Sept 24
Sept 25
Sept 26
LEADERSHIP
TECHNOLOGY
TRADE
TRADE EXPO
TRADE EXPO
BUYERS ONLY
Opening Ceremony Breakfast
Women Leadership Speakers
Technology Speakers
Sustainable Trade Partnership Workshops
Wisdomexchangetv.com
Web, mobile, social media, renewable energy, financial enablers
Summit Lunch
Summit Lunch
Summit Lunch
Leadership Program
Technology Workshops
Buyer/Seller meetings
Banquet Dinner & Leadership Awards
Trade Expo by Sector
Trade Expo by Sector
Trade Expo by Sector
Trade Expo by Sector
based on research study
Mustard Seed Africa Handcraft Showcase
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The ABW Connected Post Summit : ABW Post Summit Program: •Two student representatives and two business women association representatives from each African country will attend the summit and return to their country providing key learning presentations to their fellow students and association members •Awards will be presented for best presentation & largest audiences •Continued on-line program with summit presentation content on the website and supporting social media program
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Expected Program Outcomes New Trade Partnerships – sales growth
Longer “Sustainable Trade Partnerships, repeat sales” – sales growth
Education in new technology, financial enablers ,
renewable energy & social media – operational efficiencies “Wisdom Exchange Forum” – mentorship, knowledge sharing
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Sustainability! ABW Connected is being developed as a long term sustainable
program with a summit planned in Africa once every two years, in a different region in Africa. Corporate sponsorship (ie. technology sponsors) is being
pursued and is expected to be the primary source of funding (with registration fees) in the long term, resulting in less donor support requirements in the future, following the “trade expo model” in developed markets.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: www.abwconnected.com