Across Africa, informal cross-border trade is dominated by women—accounting for up to 70% of traders, according to the African Development Bank. Yet, these women often navigate a landscape riddled with unique challenges—from harassment and exploitation to lack of market information and limited access to financial tools.
Recognizing these barriers, the COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) – Malawi Chapter has stepped forward with a transformative solution: a digital one-stop e-commerce platform designed specifically for informal women traders in Malawi and Zambia.
“Many women want to trade across borders but face challenges accessing markets,” said Yamikani Kutengule, Digital Team Leader at COMFWB-Malawi. “Our platform connects sellers and buyers directly, allowing women to showcase their products, receive digital payments, and deliver goods safely.”
This new platform goes beyond just convenience. It addresses major hurdles in informal trade by enabling safe, secure, and cashless transactions—contributing to Africa’s wider push for a digital and inclusive economy.
This platform will initially serve traders in Malawi and Zambia, with plans to expand across the entire COMESA region.
“We’re not just building technology—we’re building opportunity,” Kutengule emphasized. “We welcome partners who can support us with technical skills, funding, and capacity building so more women can benefit.”
This feature marks Day 6 of the #40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi edition, an initiative that continues to spotlight digital innovation and financial inclusion across Africa.
Over the past five years, the program has showcased more than 200 FinTechs across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda—amplifying the voices and solutions driving inclusive growth.
