A new wave of women entrepreneurs from northern Ghana is rewriting the rules of business and trade, thanks to a transformative initiative by the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana) with support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).
Over 60 women trade leaders from the shea, agro-processing, food packaging, textiles, and handicrafts sectors have gained fresh confidence, market exposure, and strategic partnerships through a series of Learning and Exchange Visits organized under the project “Strengthening Women’s Voice and Leadership in Agricultural Policy and Economic Justice in Northern Ghana.”
The initiative, which seeks to strengthen women’s leadership and participation in trade policy advocacy, gave participants access to some of the country’s most influential business platforms including the World Shea Expo, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference, and the West African Trade Expo in Tamale and Accra.
For many of the participants, it was their first opportunity to network directly with policymakers, business leaders, and potential buyers, learning firsthand how to compete in national and regional markets.
“They’ve returned home not just as producers, but as business leaders,” said Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana. “Through AWDF’s support, we are equipping women with the confidence and knowledge to engage in trade dialogues, influence policies, and strengthen their enterprises. This is about moving women from the margins of economic activity to the centre of decision-making.”
Participants deepened their understanding of branding, digital marketing, business formalization, and financial management skills Hajia Alima described as “game changers” for rural entrepreneurs who have long been excluded from formal trade systems.
One such entrepreneur, Alhassan Zeinab, returned from the expo determined to rebrand her shea butter products and mentor others.
“Attending the Shea Expo and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference opened my eyes to how other women present their products and negotiate with buyers. I’m inspired to take my business to the next level,” she said.
The programme also fostered peer learning and collaboration among women’s groups, helping them explore joint ventures and access new markets.
Beyond individual success stories, SWIDA-Ghana envisions a broader transformation where women entrepreneurs become active contributors to Ghana’s economic policy and regional trade growth.
As the global marketplace increasingly values inclusivity and innovation, initiatives like SWIDA-Ghana’s are ensuring that women from Ghana’s north are not left behind but are leading the charge.
“This is not just about skills, It’s about power and economic power for women who are ready to shape the future of trade in Ghana,” Hajia Alima added.
