As Africa seeks to accelerate industrialisation and take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area, there is growing recognition that women must play a much bigger role, not only as traders and entrepreneurs but as factory owners, manufacturers, and exporters.

One organisation working to make this a reality is African Women in Processing, or AWIP Uganda.

Through initiatives such as the FAHARI Women-Led Industrial Parks Programme, it aims to help women move from small-scale enterprises into value-added manufacturing by providing access to markets, factory space, machinery, finance, and skills development.

Mpho Sithole spoke to Elizabeth Kasenene, President of African Women in Processing Uganda and Lead Implementer of the FAHARI Women-Led Industrial Parks Programme..