COYWA CONFERENCE/ 19th BUSINESS FORUM : COYWA offers Youth and Women in Africa a model to nurture their potential, connect them to opportunities, and ensure their resilience beyond incubation

During the panel discussion on the COYWA Project, the exchanges were rich and insightful. Day 2 of the COYWA Grand Launch has truly been a platform of learning, reflection, and forward-looking dialogue

➡️ Throughout our exchanges, several themes have emerged with clarity:
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* Ms. Susan Dada, AUDA-NEPAD Program officer, reminded us of the importance of aligning COYWA with continental priorities under Agenda 2063, ensuring that youth and women remain central to Africa’s industrialisation journey ✅

* Madam Claudette Alberte, COMFWB Seychelles Chairperson highlighted the real challenges women in business face particularly in the informal sector and how incubation models can provide practical solutions to empower them as competitive entrepreneurs✅

* With KIRDI, we learned from Dr Francis Polong, valuable lessons from incubation models that can be replicated across COMESA, with emphasis on digital literacy and innovation✅

* With Mr Nicholas Mudungwe,CEO of ALLPI, we explored opportunities within the leather value chain, and how COYWA can connect MSMEs to buyers and distributors across regional markets✅

* And from the financial sector, Ms Irene Nyanyiwa, General Manager of EWESACCO shared with us insights into innovative funding models and the critical role of financial institutions in expanding access to credit and digital finance solutions✅

Youth and women are actually drivers of Africa’s future. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and aspirations into achievements