Tripoli, August 21st, 2025 (ECA) – The ECA Office in North Africa held the first in a series of online training sessions for Libyan and Tunisian SMEs led by women and youth on Thursday, August 21.
The training sessions, which include six online workshops and one in-person meeting scheduled on 9-12 September, 2025, in Tunis, Tunisia, will provide targeted support to 35 Tunisian and Libyan SMEs and cooperatives. The training aims to strengthen their capacity to enter regional and international markets, mobilize the financial resources needed for their development, and increase their resilience through the adoption of digital technologies and environmentally responsible practices.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are key drivers of economic development in Libya and Tunisia, and a significant source of employment in both countries. However, many of them, especially those led by women and youths, face numerous challenges, including limited access to financing, difficulties complying with international standards, and skills gaps.
These obstacles significantly reduce their competitiveness and hamper their integration into regional and continental markets, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). They are further compounded by the growing impacts of climate change.
“Libyan youths demonstrate strong entrepreneurial intent, with 40% having already attempted to start a business. At the same time, World Bank data shows that unemployment rates remain high among young women (68% compared to 41% for young men) while their participation into the national labour force remains low (34.8% compared to 61.4% for men). This program focuses on women and youth to help improve their effective participation to economic growth and sustainable development,” said Adam Elhiraika, Director of the ECA office for North Africa.
The AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement but also a promise of a better future. In resource rich Libya, SMEs can provide an opportunity for development independently from the oil sector and the public sector, where salaries account for about 60% of the government budget. SMEs can also contribute to increasing production and boosting Libya’s integration into African markets, said Ms Shadar Zentani, Advisor to the Minister of economy and trade and the Director of the International Cooperation Office.
Initially launched in Morocco and expanded to Mauritania and Libya, the ECA project “Unlocking AfCFTA Opportunities: Capacity Building for Youth and Female-led SMEs” aims to provide SMEs and cooperatives with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic economic environment.
The training will focus on three key modules: Market Access, Competitiveness, and Exportable Product Development; Access to finance and financial management; and Promoting digitalization & adapting to climate change.
The project is also aligned with SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action).
Media queries
Houda Filali-Ansary - Communications Officer
ECA Office for North Africa
E-mail: filali-ansary@un.org
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org