AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council

Yesterday, ICOYACA attended the @wto -@ITCnews High-Level Event on Women and Trade on the margins of #MC14 at the Palais des Congrès, Yaoundé. Here is what the room, the data and the innovators on stage told us.

📢 Appel à tous les importateurs enregistrés. ICOYACA, @PWF_entreprise et Unique You SARL, en partenariat avec le @UNDPAfrica et la @officialPACCI , lancent la Série Importateur Africain sur la ZLECAf. Alors que le monde se tourne vers la MC14 de l’OMC et que les discussions commerciales s’intensifient à Yaoundé, cette série continentale vise à renforcer le rôle des importateurs dans la mise en œuvre du commerce intra-africain. Conçue pour démystifier la ZLECAf, elle fournit aux acheteurs les connaissances et outils nécessaires pour identifier des fournisseurs africains, comprendre les cadres commerciaux et s’engager concrètement dans les échanges intra-africains. 📅 07 avril 2026 🕒 12h00 GMT 📍 Zoom | 🗣️ Français 🔗 us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regist… 👉 Importateurs francophones, saisissez cette opportunité stratégique.

@wto DG Dr @NOIweala, ITC ED Ms @CokeHamilton and WTO members launched new joint IWG-MSME documents on women and digitalisation. These are commitments on paper. ICOYACA will be watching whether they translate into outcomes that reach women entrepreneurs on the ground.

The @ITC_SheTrades Innovation Festival featured Nkenen Brendaline Shieke of Agripath Solutions (Cameroon), Mary Asanga of HerGynae (Nigeria), Buyiswa Twala of Agrigreat Soiltech and Envirocare (South Africa) and Phebe Ilesanmi of Trashcoin (Nigeria). The $5,000 grant went to Phebe and Trashcoin. Congratulations.

Yesterday, ICOYACA attended the @wto -@ITCnews High-Level Event on Women and Trade on the margins of #MC14 at the Palais des Congrès, Yaoundé. Here is what the room, the data and the innovators on stage told us.

📢 Calling all African journalists! From negotiation to implementation - Africa's trade story is evolving. Join the maiden AfCFTA Media Webinar and tell this story in depth. 📅 | 31 March 2026 | 10 AM GMT 🔗 Register via: zoom.us/webinar/regist… #CreatingOneAfricanMarket, #AfCFTAMediaTraining

ICOYACA members once again showed up in strong numbers this Sunday afternoon for a virtual session focused on AI and concept note development, a clear reflection of a network that continues to invest in staying relevant and effective. Ray Nkum of Medulla Digital in Accra led the AI segment, breaking down how AI can serve as a practical productivity partner across research, writing, and workflow systems. Beyond the tools and technical concepts, one idea stood out: AI will not replace you, but someone using AI might. It is a reminder that the real value lies not just in access to technology but in how intentionally we use it to improve the quality and efficiency of our work. The session then transitioned into a concept note discussion led by our Secretary-General, @itsElenaNomis, where members unpacked what it takes to move from broad ideas to clear, targeted and data-driven proposals. The conversation highlighted why this matters, strong concept notes are often the difference between ideas that remain internal and those that attract partners, funding and real implementation. What stood out once again was the level of engagement; our members were present, asking questions and contributing 💪. #ICOYACA #AfCFTA #YouthLeadership #CapacityBuilding #AIinAfrica #Innovation

We are less than a week away from MC14, 6 days to be exact! Trade negotiations often rely on technical language that can make these discussions difficult to follow for those outside formal decision-making spaces. Making this language more accessible matters. Understanding these terms is not just about following the conversation; it is about grasping the stakes, the positions, and the decisions that will shape African economies. It also allows young people and those who are not trade lawyers to better engage with and follow these processes. That is why ICOYACA created this simple glossary to help African youth stay informed, understand, and engage. The road to #MC14 is entering its final stretch. #RoadToMC14 #MC14Yaoundé #ICOYACA #AfricanTrade #AfricanYouth #AfCFTA #WTO @wto @AfCFTA

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim ICOYACA members and partners across Africa! 🕌 Wishing you peace, joy, and prosperity on this special day. #EidJoy

À moins d’une semaine de la CM14, plus précisément à 6 jours, le compte à rebours est lancé! Les négociations commerciales reposent souvent sur un langage technique qui rend ces discussions difficiles à suivre pour ceux qui ne sont pas dans les espaces formels de décision. Rendre ce langage accessible est essentiel. Comprendre ces termes, ce n’est pas seulement suivre une conversation, c’est pouvoir saisir les enjeux, les positions et les décisions qui auront un impact direct sur les économies africaines. Cela permet aussi aux jeunes, et à ceux qui ne sont pas des spécialistes du commerce, de mieux s’approprier ces processus. C’est pourquoi l’ICOYACA a créé ce glossaire simple, pour aider la jeunesse africaine à s’informer, comprendre et suivre ces négociations. La route vers la #CM14 entre dans sa dernière ligne droite. #RoadToMC14 #CM14Yaoundé #ICOYACA #CommerceAfricain #JeunesseAfricaine #ZLECAf #OMC @AfCFTA @wto

One conversation is about building Africa’s energy infrastructure. The other is about shaping the global trade rules that will influence how African firms compete internationally. Both are central to the future competitiveness of African SMEs. Register for Solar & Storage Live Africa: secure.terrapinn.com/V5/step1.aspx?… Follow ICOYACA as we track these developments. #AfCFTA #AfricanTrade #SolarStorageLiveAfrica #MC14

These discussions continue next week across two major gatherings. Solar & Storage Live Africa opens 25–27 March at the Gallagher Convention Centre, focusing on energy infrastructure and investment. At the same time, the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference opens in Yaoundé.

Throwback to July 2025: Johannesburg hosted the first-ever @ITCnews Global SME Ministerial Meeting. Trade ministers, SME leaders, and business support organisations gathered to discuss how small businesses can compete in a rapidly changing global economy. Next week, that conversation continues in two cities: Johannesburg and Yaoundé. A thread 🧵.

⏳ 2 HOURS TO GO! Youth entrepreneurs, tap in 💡 Join the Road to Biashara Webinar by AfriYBC and learn how to tap into #AfCFTA opportunities and scale your business across Africa 🌍 🗓 Today | ⏰ 14:00 EAT Don’t miss this. #BiasharaAfrika #YouthInTrade #AfricanEntrepreneurs

📢🚨Webinar Alert The @AfriYBC is hosting the Road to Biashara webinar today, bringing together experts and entrepreneurs to discuss how youth-led businesses can engage with opportunities under the @AfCFTA and prepare for Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lomé. The conversation will explore practical pathways for young entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and trade across African markets. 🗓 17 March 2026 ⏰ 14:00 EAT 📍 Zoom Register: lnkd.in/dmqzWMpb #AfCFTA #BiasharaAfrika #YouthEntrepreneurs #AfricanTrade