Northern Corridor Secretariat Empowers Women and Youth in Cross-Border Trade

Malaba, Uganda – March 12, 2025: The Northern Corridor Secretariat, under its Private Sector Investment Promotion Program (PSIP), has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women and youth engaged in cross-border trade. The program targets three key pillars: improving access to information, strengthening business capacity, and providing financial support to boost resilience and economic stability among small-scale traders.

To enhance access to market data, the Secretariat introduced the Northern Corridor Business Information Portal (NCBIP), alongside a mobile application that delivers real-time agricultural commodity prices and volumes. The app also supports data collection by border market enumerators, improving trade transparency and empowering traders with crucial market insights.

In collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Secretariat has provided equipment and financial support to small businesses, including farmers and cross-border traders across Rwanda, Kenya, and Burundi. This initiative aims to enhance business operations, promote financial stability, and create sustainable income sources for marginalized groups, particularly women and youth.

A pivotal part of the initiative was a three-day workshop held from March 10-12, 2025, at Greystone Hotel in Malaba, Uganda. The workshop brought together 40 women and youth from eight cross-border associations, offering practical business training facilitated by Equity Bank, North Star Alliance, and AGRA. The sessions covered essential topics such as Business Formation and Registration, Operations and Management, Access to Finance, and Business Growth Strategies.

Additionally, industry experts enriched the workshop with specialized insights. Mr. Milton Danda led a session on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agribusiness, highlighting sustainable farming practices. Madam Eva Mwai, Executive Director of North Star Alliance, addressed Health and Wellness Along Transport Corridors, emphasizing the importance of well-being for traders. AGRA’s representative, Miss Barbara Mbabazi, explored strategic partnerships, implementation methods, and the region’s Green Revolution efforts, equipping participants with tools for sustainable growth.

Prior to the workshop, the Secretariat, through its PSIP experts, collaborated with border market associations to identify local enumerators responsible for gathering data via the NCBIP mobile app. Agreements were secured with eight associations across Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda to ensure smooth implementation and data collection.

This initiative underscores the Northern Corridor Secretariat’s commitment to empowering women and youth in cross-border trade, fostering economic resilience, and strengthening regional integration.