What We Do Focus Areas
DIGNITY • PARTNERSHIP • SYSTEMS
Our work: building markets – and strengthening the women who power them.
SMWF focuses on three connected pillars that unlock access, build skills, and drive women-led market systems so families can earn, eat, and thrive with dignity.
Our three focus areas
Every SMWF program connects to one of these pillars. Together they form a systems approach to transforming women-led markets across Africa.
Access & Opportunity
We expand access to finance, infrastructure, and tools so market women can grow stable, resilient businesses.
Includes programs such as:
Small Business Loans • Safer, Cleaner Markets •
Processing & Value-Add Hubs • FreshKeep: Cold Chain Hubs
Skills & Training
We strengthen literacy, financial management, and entrepreneurship skills for women and their families.
Includes programs such as:
EmpowerHer Training • Adult Reading & Math • Early Learning for Kids
Advocacy & Growth
We elevate women’s voices and shape markets and policies so change outlives any single project.
Includes programs such as:
Women-Led Policy Change • SheSells Africa: Trade & Thrive
Why a three-pillar model?
Access alone isn’t enough. Skills alone aren’t enough. Advocacy alone isn’t enough. By connecting capital, competencies, and systems change, SMWF helps market women move from survival to sustainable, generational growth.