This Trade Report delves into the evolving dynamics of trade, with a spotlight on the burgeoning service sector in Sub-Saharan Africa and the critical role women play within this domain. It underscores the service sector’s emergence as a pivotal engine of economic resilience and growth post-pandemic, presenting an opportunity for Africa to bolster intra-continental trade and global market linkages. Highlighting the challenges and barriers women face, this report argues for comprehensive policy reforms aimed at fostering an enabling environment for digital trade, thus catalysing growth and integration into the global economy. The narrative positions women at the forefront of this transformative journey, emphasising the untapped potential in harnessing their contributions for sectoral growth and economic empowerment.

Further, this report provides an analytical lens on gender dynamics within the labour market, especially post-pandemic, noting a robust recovery in some sectors but also pointing out persisting gender gaps in labour force participation, unemployment, and access to decent work. It touches on the adverse impacts of wage disparities and working poverty levels on women, stressing the necessity for targeted interventions to bolster women’s workforce entry and retention. Through a comprehensive examination of labour force trends and economic participation, the report sheds light on both the strides made towards gender parity and the significant hurdles that remain, underscoring the imperative for gender inclusivity and economic resilience in shaping the future of trade in Sub-Saharan Africa.