Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has launched a digital platform specifically designed to address the information needs of women in business and connect them via a custom-built social network.

According to a statement by Comesa, the platform primarily seeks to economically empower women by providing a one-stop shop for a wide range of financial and non-financial services that women need to start and grow successful businesses.

Comesa implemented the initiative in partnership with the East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). The network will see women from 38 African countries finding information on running businesses, accessing financial services, create business opportunities online and access training resources, ultimately contributing to their economic empowerment. “I certainly believe that the creation of this platform is a very practical way of speaking to the general agenda of empowering women. I think a lot has been said and now we have come to a stage where we have practical initiatives such as this one,” said Comesa secretary general Chileshe Kapwepwe.

The initiative arrives amidst an uncertain business environment in Malawi, while the use of digital platforms for businesses is yet to improve, according to various stats.