Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), has officially launched Phase Two of the SheTrades Egypt project. Building on the strong momentum of the first phase, this new stage aims to empower women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the handicrafts and food industries, by strengthening their competitiveness and export readiness.
A National Commitment to Economic Empowerment
The launch event, held in Cairo, brought together a diverse group of women entrepreneurs, trade experts, development partners, and government officials. Mai Mahmoud, Director General of Skills Development at the NCW, opened the session by highlighting the Council’s dedication to supporting Egyptian women in every aspect of their economic journey. She emphasized that the NCW, as Egypt’s official mechanism for women’s empowerment, continues to play a pivotal role in unifying efforts with key stakeholders to create meaningful, scalable impact.
Mahmoud reviewed the Council’s various economic empowerment programs, pointing to its wide-ranging approach that includes financial literacy and entrepreneurship training tailored specifically for women. She highlighted the Gender Equality Seal initiative, launched in collaboration with the World Bank, which helps institutions integrate gender-inclusive practices into their operations. She also noted the NCW’s leadership in supporting intellectual property rights and trademark registration for women artisans, alongside the Women and Intellectual Property Project, implemented in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Additional initiatives mentioned included efforts to combat the root causes of irregular migration through economic opportunity, as well as the “Taa’ Marbouta” Seal, a national initiative focused on reinforcing women’s leadership, professional identity, and public presence. These efforts reflect a holistic national strategy that combines policy, advocacy, training, and technical support to create a more inclusive and equitable business landscape for women across Egypt.
A Global Initiative with Local Impact
Speaking on behalf of the International Trade Centre, Amir Mohsen, National Coordinator for SheTrades Egypt, praised the achievements of the project’s first phase, noting that its success inspired all stakeholders to move confidently into a second, more expansive stage. He reiterated that the central mission of SheTrades Egypt is to enhance the competitiveness of women-owned and women-managed businesses, enabling them to integrate more effectively into international markets.
Mohsen emphasized that by strengthening market linkages, improving export capabilities, and supporting innovation within women-led SMEs, the initiative directly contributes to broader goals of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. SheTrades Egypt is part of the global SheTrades Initiative, a flagship program of ITC that aims to connect three million women to markets by removing barriers to their participation in trade and entrepreneurship.
From Research to Real-World Results
The event featured a series of presentations and dialogues with representatives from business support organizations, export councils, and trade institutions. Discussions covered a range of timely and relevant topics, including recent research on the role of women in business leadership, the positive impact of gender diversity on corporate profitability, and the intersection of mental health, innovation, and economic productivity.
Speakers also explored the role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in helping women-led businesses grow. Practical demonstrations highlighted how AI-powered platforms can assist entrepreneurs with product development, market analysis, and customer engagement—paving the way for a more data-driven and tech-savvy generation of Egyptian businesswomen.
A United Front for Women in Trade
The workshop was attended by a wide array of influential stakeholders. Among them were Dr. Nadia El Shafei, Board Member of Business Women of Egypt 21 (BWE21); Ahmed El Kenany, Senior Assistant Director at the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA); and Nahla Suleiman, Board Member of the Chamber of Handicrafts Industries. Also present were Hesham El-Eisawy, Chairman of the Export Council for Handicrafts; Mai Khairy, Executive Director of the Food Export Council; Riham Ghazy, Director General of Training and Development at the Chamber of Food Industries; and Joseph Maqar, a consultant specializing in artificial intelligence and business management.
The list of attendees also included Hesham El Gazzar, Regional President of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), and Alaa Al-Baiqdar, a specialist at the Food Export Council, in addition to several business development organizations, representatives from government agencies, and numerous women entrepreneurs from across Egypt.
Toward Inclusive and Competitive Markets
As Phase Two of SheTrades Egypt unfolds, the focus will remain on expanding the presence of women-owned enterprises in both local and global markets. The initiative is designed to improve the export capacity of these businesses, support product development, and strengthen linkages within high-potential value chains, particularly in the handicrafts and food production sectors.
