Call for Applications: Free In-Country Training and Mentorship for Women and Youth MSMEs on Gender-Sensitive Digital Trade

Ednah Carrick May 27, 2026

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Closing Date: 5 June 2026

Call for Applications: Free In-Country Training and Mentorship for Women and Youth MSMEs on Gender-Sensitive Digital Trade

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through the Horn of Africa Digital Market Integration (HDMI) Project – Phase I, invites applications from qualified candidates across the IGAD Member States, to participate in In-Country Training on Gender-Sensitive Digital Trade, using the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology.

Background

The HDMI Project – Phase I, is a multinational intervention based under the Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration Division (ECRID) of the IGAD’s Secretariat. The project’s interventions are implemented in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan, executed by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under ECRID, located in Djibouti.

The objective of the first phase of the HDMI project is to strengthen economic integration in the IGAD region, by unlocking market opportunities, thus enhancing creation of a single digital market. With ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), complimented by the IGAD’s Vision 2050 and the recently validated IGAD strategy 2026-2030, the possibility of new markets will open new avenues for businesses and new jobs, especially for youth and women. Thus, the use of digital solutions will support implementation of the AfCFTA, which is a key policy instrument available to the African economies.

Specifically, the project seeks to implement robust, secure and reliable digital trade and e-commerce enablers, promote digital economy and trust substrates and fill gaps with regards to digital ecosystem (cybersecurity, data protection & exchanges and digital transactions). With this phased operation, the gradual development of an integrated regional market in the digital sector will allow the IGAD region population to trade more easily. This will facilitate competitiveness and expansion of the local industry that will meet these new needs (manufacturing, in particular), thanks to the middleclass widening and maintaining value creation and jobs for youth on site by improving subregional competitiveness, which will attract more capital to support innovation and digital entrepreneurship.

Despite the growing potential of digital trade, gender inequalities continue to limit women’s access to digital technologies, financial services and market opportunities. The in-country trainings will be preceded by the training of trainers of Gender Champions workshop on Gender-Sensitive Digital Trade, where Gender Champions from the IGAD Member States will be equipped with knowledge and facilitation skills using the GALS methodology.

The in-country training workshops will focus on empowering and strengthening capacity of women and youth MSMEs to use digital tools and platforms, to expand their businesses. The training will cover key areas, such as digital financial services, mobile money platforms, e-commerce opportunities, digital marketing, financial literacy and safe participation in digital spaces.

The In-Country Training on Gender-Sensitive Digital Trade will enable women and youth MSMEs to gain access to digital financial services, market information in a timely and cost-effective way, participate more effectively in e-commerce business transactions, digital services in cross border trade, gain increased access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and global markets.

Training Overview

The In-Country Training and Mentorship for Women and Youth MSMEs will be in a hybrid format, conducted in two sessions.

The first session will be in-person three-day in-country training workshop delivered by trained Gender Champions, using the GALS methodology. This is aimed to allow participants to fully engage, practice and receive immediate feedback. The in-person session is key for enabling trainees to gain hands-on experience, which is needed for training other women and youth in their home country.
Follow-up online sessions will be conducted through IGAD social platforms, to share further knowledge and offer a space for enriching continuous conversations on gender sensitive digital trade. Furthermore, the online sessions will enable sustaining the gains achieved during the in-person session.

Training Locations and Period

Trainings will be conducted in the following locations:

Djibouti – Djibouti
Addis Ababa – Ethiopia
Nairobi – Kenya
Mogadishu – Somalia
Juba – South Sudan
Port Sudan – Sudan
Kampala – Uganda

What Participants Will Learn

The In-Country Training and Mentorship for Women and Youth MSMEs will cover:

Digital financial services (including mobile money)
E-commerce and online business opportunities
Digital marketing strategies
Financial literacy and business management
Safe and secure participation in digital spaces
Accessing regional and international markets, including AfCFTA opportunities

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be a woman or youth entrepreneur (priority will be given to women)
Be actively running a micro, small or medium enterprise (MSME)
Possess a valid business license
Demonstrate interest in digital trade or expanding their business through digital platforms
Be committed to attending the full three-day in-person training and participating in follow-up online mentorship

Expected Outcomes

Participants will:

Gain practical digital and financial skills to grow their businesses
Improve access to digital financial services and market information
Strengthen their participation in e-commerce and cross-border trade
Become part of a growing regional network of entrepreneurs

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit:

A completed online application form, available at https://igad.int/hdmicallforapplicationincountrytraining/
A brief motivation statement, expressing why he/she would like to participate in the training
Copy of his/her business license
A short description of his/her business and how he/she intends to apply the skills gained

Additional Information

Participation is free of charge for selected candidates
Due to anticipated large number of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
Training logistics will be communicated to successful applicants