Platform Africa spoke to Nirmala Jeetah, Director in-charge of the Bio Industry & Project Development, ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub, at the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, on the motivation behind the setting up of the SheTrades Mauritius Hub. Nirmala explains how the two years since the hub’s launch in March 2023 have seen numerous initiatives, be it workshops or capacity-building programmes, to equip Mauritian women entrepreneurs to access global markets.
Commenting on the unveiling of their dedicated website, an upcoming business visit to India, delegations led to Seychelles and Rodrigues, and the launch of the ‘Trade beyond borders’ programme this March, Nirmala stresses how SheTrades Mauritius offers all the tools, exposure and mentorship that women entrepreneurs need to succeed.
Edited excerpts from an exclusive interview:
1. The SheTrades Mauritius Hub was officially launched in Mauritius just over two years ago and is hosted at the EDB. Could you explain the main purpose and objectives of the hub?
The SheTrades Initiative is the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) flagship Women and Trade Programme, aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs by enhancing their knowledge and capacity across various aspects of business development. Its primary objective is to help women become more competitive and access global markets, while contributing to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 5).
Globally, the SheTrades movement encompasses 21 Hubs, creating a vast network through which women entrepreneurs can share experiences, learn, and connect with new opportunities.
Launched on 9th March 2023 and hosted by the Economic Development Board (EDB), the SheTrades Mauritius Hub is committed to helping women entrepreneurs expand internationally. To achieve this, we organise regular workshops and capacity-building programmes designed to equip members with essential skills in business development and to open up market access opportunities, particularly for those who are export-ready.
2. What have been some of the main highlights of the hub’s activities since its launch?
Since its inception, the SheTrades Mauritius Hub has focused on capacity-building initiatives informed by a comprehensive needs assessment survey. These programmes are tailored to empower women entrepreneurs to better manage and grow their businesses.
One major highlight has been the development of our dedicated website, https://shetrades.edbmauritius.org, launched with the tagline ‘She Goes Global’, symbolising our commitment to helping women-led businesses expand beyond borders.
To date, we have organised close to 15 workshops covering a broad range of topics, including export procedures, marketing, financial management, and wellness. The Hub currently has 238 members comprising 158 companies and 80 individual entrepreneurs.
Notably, we successfully led a business delegation to Seychelles which generated valuable contacts and business contracts. We also had the pleasure of hosting delegations from our counterpart SheTrades Hubs, including South Africa and India, further enriching our ecosystem through international collaboration.
Another significant milestone was our capacity-building programme for women entrepreneurs in Rodrigues, supported by the UNDP. This initiative has set the stage for a structured two-year programme to help Rodrigues-based businesses enhance their capabilities and improve access to both national and international markets.
Our ongoing partnership with DHL under the ‘GoTrade’ programme has also been transformative, equipping our members with vital tools and insights to navigate the international business landscape effectively.
3. In March, the SheTrades Mauritius Hub hosted a delegation from SheTrades India, where their hub was launched recently. What were some of your key takeaways from this visit? How do you see opportunities for collaboration between the two hubs in future?
The SheTrades India Hub’s visit to Mauritius was part of a Peer-to-Peer learning initiative, led by the International Trade Centre. The delegation included five senior representatives from key Indian states namely Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) as the host agency.
During their visit, we exchanged best practices on hub management, engagement strategies, and the challenges women entrepreneurs face when seeking to export. We also explored the tools and processes we have put in place to help them become export-ready and competitive globally.
The discussions identified several promising avenues for collaboration between the two Hubs. These include facilitating greater market access for women-led businesses in both countries, developing joint capacity-building programmes, co-organising webinars on targeted trade and entrepreneurship topics, and coordinating participation in regional and international trade events.
A key outcome was the invitation extended by SheTrades India hub for Mauritian women entrepreneurs to attend the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, from 24 to 25 April 2025. Five Mauritian women entrepreneurs will participate, sponsored by the Government of India.
India offers a vast and dynamic market, backed by a well-developed ecosystem for integrating women into trade. By leveraging frameworks such as the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), we see tremendous potential for mutually beneficial partnerships between our two Hubs.
4. The Trade Beyond Borders programme was also launched in March. What can you tell us about this programme? How can the participants benefit from it?
The ‘Trade Beyond Borders’ training programme is a key component of DHL’s GoTrade initiative and is specifically designed to empower women entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in cross-border trade.
This four-month training features eight modules covering essential areas such as e-commerce, digital marketing, logistics, supply chain management, international trade compliance, financial management, leadership, and customer experience. The sessions are delivered by seasoned DHL experts, ensuring a strong alignment with global business standards and practical insights.
The programme goes beyond logistics, providing a comprehensive framework for women-led businesses to become truly export-ready. Participants gain valuable knowledge about international regulations, customs procedures, and market access strategies, all of which are critical for successful international expansion.
In today’s interconnected world, being able to trade beyond borders is a gamechanger. This initiative not only breaks down barriers to women’s participation in international trade but also builds a pipeline of resilient, confident, and globally competitive women entrepreneurs, ultimately contributing to inclusive economic growth and gender equality.
5. Could you tell us what you have in the pipeline for the rest of this year? Will there be any inbound or outbound missions, or upcoming training sessions?
As part of our agreement with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the SheTrades Mauritius Hub implements an annual work plan developed in collaboration with the ITC SheTrades Regional Coordinator for Africa. This includes targeted capacity-building programmes, participation in global SheTrades activities, and local trade events.
This year, we are focusing on training modules that address real-world challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, such as labour law compliance, financial literacy, and negotiation strategies, key components for building sustainable and export-ready businesses.
We have also launched a new survey to assess the export readiness of each member company. This will enable us to deliver customised support based on their product offerings, market potential, and stage of development, thus ensuring that every woman entrepreneur receives guidance tailored to her specific needs.
6. What would be your message for women entrepreneurs in Mauritius who are interested in joining the SheTrades Mauritius Hub?
The SheTrades Initiative is all about taking women-led businesses global. If you are a woman entrepreneur in Mauritius looking to grow your business, access new markets, and connect with a vibrant community of like-minded professionals, then the SheTrades Mauritius Hub is here for you.
Through the Hub, you will gain access to hands-on capacity-building programmes designed to strengthen your business skills and expand your market reach. Beyond training, we offer invaluable networking opportunities, both locally and internationally, along with collaborations across the SheTrades global network.
Joining the Hub is more than just joining a programme; it is about unlocking your full potential. Whether you are at the start of your business journey or ready to scale globally, we offer the tools, mentorship, and exposure you need to succeed.
At SheTrades Mauritius hub, we believe that when women trade, economies grow and communities thrive. This is your moment to be part of a global movement that champions women’s economic empowerment, nurtures ambition and celebrates success.
Interested entrepreneurs can register via:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/KTHnQZxHZ6?origin=lpr
Let us go global together!
