By Yiep Joseph
Some of the exhibitors in the recently concluded 24th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) trade fair called on South Sudan women to take entrepreneurship seriously.
The participants expressed their views during the 10-day trade fair that started on Nov. 26 in Juba with over 1500 exhibitors from EAC Partner States such as Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan to showcase their products.
In an interview, Kibibi Japiary, an exhibitor from Tanzania, expressed that most of the countries empowered women to do business, citing that it was the reason most women were seen at the exhibition.
She appealed to South Sudanese women to join business in numbers to overcome challenges.
Kibibi added that business would be the only avenue to empower women to make their own resources and decisions that matter in their lives.
She added that with business one can acquire necessary resources.
Meanwhile, Adau Dau, a South Sudanese young entrepreneur dealing in cosmetics, appealed to South Sudanese young ladies and men to put focus on business.
“We as South Sudanese women need to be engaged in having more skills and more special in business,” Adau said.
“Money is not in the office; be skilled like what we have seen now with our neighbouring countries; they have a lot of skills and they are making money,” she added.
She appealed to young ladies to commit to businesses to manage their needs and help their families.
Teresiah Wanjiru from Kenya expressed that in her home country, most women are doing business to take care of their families.
“In Kenyan money, women join businesses because businesses have money, and I urge South Sudanese women to engage in business as well,” Teresiah said.
She encouraged the government to give women start-up capital to encourage them to do business.
On her part, Aisha Mahguop, one of the exhibitors dealing in local perfume businesses, said that businesses are for everyone, adding most women have to take part and have money like men.
“Everyone will do a small business she can manage; we need to have money like men and do good things for ourselves,” she said.
“Business can be done by anyone, be it women or men, and I encourage women to come for business,” she added.
She acknowledged her experience during the exhibition, adding that women from neighbouring countries have many businesses.
“In this EAC exhibition, I have learned that women in other countries sell more valuable rather small items like charcoal,” she said.
The recently concluded exhibition is aimed at promoting trade, investment, and economic growth within the region by providing a platform for entrepreneurs, businesses, and stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and explore new market opportunities.