About AWAN-EA

The African Women Agribusiness Network-East Africa (AWAN-EA) is a regional support organization that promotes women in agricultural exports.AWAN-EA was established in 2002 to respond to the increasing need for African women to have the latest information on trends, opportunities and challenges in regional and international agribusiness. By providing management training, technical expertise, networking forums and industry news, AWAN-EA builds the capacity of women to succeed in global agricultural trade. With a secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya, AWAN-EA serves hundreds of members through chapters in seven East African countries—Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

AWAN-EA is funded through a contract with the United States Agency for International Development’s Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa (USAID/REDSO/ESA). Pact provides grant management and technical and administrative support.
Other important partners include:the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE); Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE); Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI); and SME Solutions Center (SSC).

Since our inception, AWAN-EA has realized impressive results, which include:

• Conducting export market surveys and helping members negotiate contracts with buyers in the United States, Europe and Middle East
• Developing a database on trade opportunities for members
• Coordinating national and regional workshops on technology, management and leadership
• Performing business-diagnostic tests on members’ enterprises
• Facilitating training on international quality standards, which have led members to earn certifications for premium exports
• Organizing networking forums in country chapters to build strategic partnerships with donors, lenders and export-promotion council
• Disseminating vital information on markets, consumer trends and trade