The African Union International Center for Girls & Women's Education in Africa organizes this event under the theme: “Leveraging the AfCFTA to foster girls and women’s education and skills development for entrepreneurship opportunities”.

The event aims to:

• Discuss how the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Africa within the Continental Campaign #Africaeducatesher;
• Promote gender mainstreaming in the implementation of the AfCFTA national strategies;
• Promote economic empowerment opportunities and entrepreneurship for women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises, including through boosting the demand for manufactured goods;
• Share the experience of Member States on their existing policies promoting skills development and STEAM education.

The event is organized by the AU CIEFFA in collaboration with the Republic of Sierra Lone and UNAIDS.

Participants include African Ministers of Education, Trade and Investments, Gender and Social Protection; and their respective experts; the AU Commission Departments responsible for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Experts; Development Partners; Representatives of Civil Society groups working on girls' education; Regional Economic Communities (RECs); Youth and Champions / Advocates of Girls and Women's Education.

Laura Frigenti, GPE CEO, will deliver remarks during the event via video.