SheTrades Mission 2026: Mauritian Women-Led Enterprises Target Opportunities in Rwanda

May 12, 2026 Abawe02 0 Comments

Kigali, Rwanda 11 May 2026 , The SheTrades Mauritius Hub, hosted by the Economic Development Board Mauritius, in partnership with the SheTrades Rwanda Hub under the Private Sector Federation, is set to organize a three-day Hub-to-Hub Collaboration Mission in Kigali from 18 to 20 May 2026.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between women entrepreneurs from Mauritius and Rwanda, while advancing the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The mission will bring together around 18 women-led enterprises from Mauritius operating in strategic sectors such as manufacturing, ICT and digital services, education and training, healthcare and life sciences, cosmetics and personal care, textiles, tourism, handicrafts, and agro-processing.

According to organizers, the programme is designed to facilitate market access, promote regional value chains, enhance business-to-business collaboration, and support the internationalization of women-owned enterprises through practical engagement opportunities.

The official opening ceremony will take place on Monday, 18 May 2026, at Park Inn by Radisson Kigali and is expected to attract senior government officials, business leaders, and representatives from regional trade and investment institutions.

Activities during the mission will include high-level business forums and networking sessions, capacity-building workshops, market intelligence exchanges, curated B2B matchmaking meetings, exhibition opportunities for women-led enterprises, as well as site visits to selected institutions and companies in Rwanda.

Speaking ahead of the event, Thérèse Sekamana emphasized the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs to drive regional trade growth.
“African women entrepreneurs possess immense potential to transform regional trade.

This collaboration creates a valuable platform for women-led businesses from Rwanda and Mauritius to build partnerships, exchange knowledge, and access new markets under AfCFTA,” she said.

Organizers selected Rwanda as the host country due to its growing economy, investor-friendly business environment, strong commitment to women’s economic empowerment, and emerging opportunities in sectors aligned with the priorities of Mauritian women entrepreneurs.

The trade mission also seeks to deepen collaboration among African SheTrades Hubs, foster sustainable commercial partnerships, and contribute to building an interconnected ecosystem that supports women in trade across the continent.

Meanwhile, Nirmala Jeetah noted that the initiative reflects Mauritius’ broader ambition to support women-led businesses in expanding into African markets.
“This mission reflects our strong commitment to supporting Mauritian women entrepreneurs in expanding beyond traditional markets and building sustainable business relationships across Africa. Rwanda presents strategic opportunities for innovation, investment, and trade,” she said.