Unlock Business Growth, Trade Opportunities, and Entrepreneurship Skills Through the UNDP ECoWYERT Program
Young people, entrepreneurs, traders, and enterprises across Southern and Central Africa now have a unique opportunity to build their skills, strengthen their businesses, and access regional trade opportunities through the Enhancing Capacities of Women and Youth-led Enterprises for Regional Trade (ECoWYERT) Program.
Led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the ECoWYERT Program is designed to equip participants with practical skills, knowledge, and tools needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive regional and continental marketplace. The initiative seeks to support women and youth-led enterprises by providing market-oriented training that responds to the needs of individuals and businesses at different stages of development.
Running from 2025 to 2030, the program aims to create pathways for economic empowerment, entrepreneurship development, employment creation, and increased participation in cross-border and regional trade throughout Africa.
What is the ECoWYERT Program?
The Enhancing Capacities of Women and Youth-led Enterprises for Regional Trade (ECoWYERT) Program is a regional initiative focused on improving the capabilities of youth, entrepreneurs, traders, and businesses to participate successfully in local, regional, and international trade.
The program recognizes that participants operate at different levels of business maturity and therefore offers specialized training tailored to their current stage of employment, entrepreneurship, or trading journey.
Whether an applicant is:
- Preparing to enter the workforce
- Launching a first business venture
- Managing an informal enterprise
- Trading across borders
- Growing a small business
- Expanding a medium-sized enterprise into regional markets
the program is designed to provide relevant support to help them achieve sustainable growth.
Organizations Behind the Initiative
The ECoWYERT Program is implemented through a strategic partnership involving several leading development and trade organizations.
Key partners include:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- Mastercard Foundation
- COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB)
- Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA)
- Trade and Development Fund (TDF)
These organizations are working together to strengthen economic participation for women and youth and increase their involvement in regional trade and value chains.
Countries Participating in the Program
The ECoWYERT Program will be implemented across six African countries:
- Botswana
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Malawi
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Participants from these countries will have access to training opportunities designed to improve employment prospects, entrepreneurial success, and regional trade engagement.
Why the ECoWYERT Program Matters
Africa’s economic future depends heavily on the successful participation of young people, women entrepreneurs, traders, and small businesses. However, many face challenges such as:
- Limited access to business training
- Insufficient financial literacy
- Lack of formal business structures
- Limited market access
- Poor understanding of export requirements
- Limited exposure to regional trade opportunities
The ECoWYERT Program seeks to address these challenges by equipping participants with practical and market-oriented skills that can enhance competitiveness and enable sustainable business growth.
In addition, the program promotes awareness of opportunities available under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), helping participants understand how to access larger regional markets across Africa.
Training Categories Available
Applicants are required to choose the category that best represents their current stage of employment, business, or trade development.
1. New-to-Trade Youth
This category targets young individuals who are beginning their entrepreneurial or employment journey.
Eligible participants include:
- Young women and men aged 16 to 35 years
- Youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET)
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Recent graduates and trainees transitioning into employment
- Young people seeking to turn farming activities into viable businesses
- Youth engaged in income-generating activities who want to expand into sustainable enterprises
Participants in this category will receive training in:
- Employability skills
- Entrepreneurship development
- Financial management
- Business fundamentals
- Introduction to regional trade
- Cross-border business opportunities
2. Existing Traders
This category is designed for individuals already engaged in trading activities.
Eligible applicants include:
- Sole traders
- Rural traders
- Peri-urban traders
- Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders (SSCBTs)
- Informal businesses
Training areas include:
- Business management
- Financial record keeping
- Marketing techniques
- Customer engagement
- Digital business tools
- Business formalization
- Regional trade participation
3. Growing Trade Enterprises
This category serves early-stage businesses that are looking to strengthen operations and prepare for expansion.
Eligible applicants include:
- Micro-enterprises
- Small businesses
- Home-based businesses
- Small-scale processing enterprises
Participants will benefit from training in:
- Business planning
- Financial management
- Marketing strategies
- Customer acquisition and retention
- Market access
- Trade readiness
4. Scaling Trade Enterprises
This category targets established businesses seeking growth beyond local markets.
Eligible applicants include:
- Medium-sized businesses
- Formal enterprises
- Business aggregators
- Growth-focused enterprises
Training support includes:
- Export readiness
- Supply chain strengthening
- Advanced business systems
- Market expansion strategies
- Regional trade opportunities
- Expansion into continental markets
Key Benefits of the ECoWYERT Program
Depending on the category selected, participants will gain access to valuable skills and knowledge that can significantly improve their competitiveness and growth potential.
Benefits include:
Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills
Participants will receive practical training that enhances their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities.
Financial Literacy and Management
The program provides important lessons in:
- Budgeting
- Financial planning
- Record keeping
- Cash flow management
Business Growth Strategies
Applicants will learn how to:
- Develop sustainable business models
- Increase profitability
- Improve operational efficiency
- Scale business activities
Marketing and Customer Development
Training covers:
- Customer engagement
- Branding strategies
- Sales techniques
- Market positioning
Digital Business Skills
Participants will gain exposure to modern digital tools that improve business performance and market reach.
Business Formalization Support
The program helps participants understand:
- Registration processes
- Compliance requirements
- Benefits of formal business operations
Cross-Border Trade Knowledge
Participants will learn how to:
- Access regional markets
- Engage in international trade
- Navigate trade requirements
- Explore export opportunities
AfCFTA Market Opportunities
The program introduces participants to opportunities available through the African Continental Free Trade Area, helping businesses position themselves for continental growth.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible applicants should complete the official application form and select the category that best reflects their current employment, business, or trade stage.
It is important to note that submission of an application does not guarantee selection. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
For more information about this program, CLICK HERE.
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
There is currently no fixed closing date announced. Interested applicants are advised to apply as early as possible to maximize their chances of consideration.
Conclusion
The UNDP ECoWYERT Program represents a significant opportunity for young people, women entrepreneurs, traders, and enterprises seeking to strengthen their skills and expand their economic potential. Through targeted, stage-specific training, participants will gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to compete effectively in local, regional, and continental markets.
By focusing on entrepreneurship development, business growth, trade readiness, financial management, and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, the program is helping build a future where youth and women-led enterprises can become key drivers of economic transformation across Africa. For aspiring entrepreneurs, informal traders, growing businesses, and established enterprises alike, the ECoWYERT Program offers a valuable pathway toward sustainable business success and regional trade integration.
Visit HERE for more opportunities like this on the Opportunities For Youth (OFY) platform.
