Inclusive Policy Design for Improved Economic Participation of Women and Youth in African Trade: An Assessment of Afcfta Protocol on Women and Youth.

This study focused on the participation of women and youth in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), assessing the effectiveness of the Protocol on Women and Youth which was adopted by the African Union (AU) in February 2024 during the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly. Prior to the adoption of the Protocol,80% 0f women engaged in informal cross-border traders and 43% of youth engaged in international trade. This Protocol seek to enhance the participation of women and youth in intra-African trade and regional value chains in a formal way, recognizing their roles in economic growth. To convert informal trade to formal trade, a 10.5% boost in 2035. This study employed a qualitative research design, the study utilized document analysis and a systematic review of secondary data from 2023 to 2025, guided by the conceptual frameworks of "inclusive innovation" and structural change theory. Findings revealed significant barriers to the effective participation of women and youth, including digital illiteracy, financial exclusion, and regulatory complexity. These challenges underscore the limitations of current policies in addressing the needs of marginalized groups, particularly those operating in informal and cross-border trade. The study concluded that while the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade represents a positive step, its impact is constrained by systemic inequalities and the absence of complementary innovation policies. To address these gaps, the study recommended the development of inclusive innovation policies that prioritize digital literacy programs, gender-responsive fintech regulations, and simplified trade regimes tailored to the needs of disadvantaged populations. These measures are essential for ensuring that women and youth are not merely passive beneficiaries but active drivers of the AfCFTA’s transformative potential.

AfCFTA, Inclusive, Protocol, Women Entrepreneurship, Youth Entrepreneurship

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