Empowering Young and Female-Led SMEs in Libya and Tunisia
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) North Africa Office organized a training workshop from September 9 to 12, 2025, under the theme "Unlocking the Opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Strengthening the Capacities of Young and Female-Led SMEs," in partnership with the Ministries of Economy and Trade of Libya and Tunisia. The meeting concluded a series of online training sessions organized for the benefit of 35 Libyan and Tunisian SMEs and cooperatives led by women or young people.
Objective of the Training
"This training aims to strengthen the skills of participating enterprises in terms of access to financing, use of digital technologies, seizing opportunities offered by the AfCFTA, and adopting sustainable practices, with a view to contributing to more inclusive growth and job creation in Libya and Tunisia," said Wafa Aidi, SME Program Coordinator at the ECA North Africa Office.
The Importance of SMEs in Libya and Tunisia
SMEs are essential drivers of economic development and a significant source of employment in Libya and Tunisia. However, these enterprises, particularly those led by women or young people, face numerous challenges that significantly reduce their competitiveness and hinder their integration into regional and continental markets, including those facilitated by the AfCFTA. These challenges are further exacerbated by the growing effects of climate change.
Gender Disparities in SMEs
"SMEs play a fundamental role in the Tunisian and Libyan economies, where they represent more than 95% of the private sector. However, gender disparities remain significant, with less than 12% of SME owners being women, and female-led enterprises characterized by limited turnover. Research shows that increasing women's integration into the labor market contributes to greater economic growth. Furthermore, women's economic empowerment is linked to economic diversification and a more equitable distribution of income for shared prosperity," explained Rana Taha, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Tunisia.
Overcoming Obstacles
Despite the significant obstacles facing the national economy, Libyan SMEs have initiated tens of thousands of active projects and contribute to the employment of nearly 45% of the active population outside the oil sector, explained Abdallah El Jadi, representative of the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade, who emphasized the importance of such training to facilitate knowledge transfer, networking, and experience sharing.
The ECA Project
Initially launched in Morocco and later developed in Mauritania, Libya, and Tunisia, the ECA project "Unlocking the Opportunities of the AfCFTA: Strengthening the Capacities of Young and Female-Led SMEs" aims to provide beneficiary SMEs and cooperatives with the necessary knowledge, tools, and networks to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic economic environment. The training covered three essential modules: access to markets, competitiveness, and development of exportable products; access to financing and financial management; and promotion of digitization and adaptation to climate change.
Accelerating the Implementation of the AfCFTA
"The acceleration of the implementation of the AfCFTA is today a strategic priority for the entire continent. This common market will only be fully beneficial if SMEs – which constitute the backbone of our economies – are effectively equipped to participate," said Tarek Bouhlel, Director General of African Cooperation at the Tunisian Ministry of Economy and Planning, who warned: "Every delay reduces Africa's chances of benefiting from its demographic and economic potential, in a highly competitive global context." The project "Unlocking the Opportunities of the AfCFTA: Strengthening the Capacities of Young and Female-Led SMEs" falls within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action).
