LONDON, United Kingdom — Fatoumata Jawara Dukureh, Chief Executive Officer of the Maa Foundation for Women, will represent the Gambian non-profit organisation at the International Trade Council Global Convocation & Leadership Forum in London, taking place across a three-day programme from 26 to 28 November 2026. The high-level gathering brings together international business leaders, trade officials and policymakers to address market access, supply chain integration and cross-border trade development.
Based in Brusubi, the Maa Foundation for Women is a grassroots, women-led organisation dedicated to advancing economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership development and political participation for women and girls across The Gambia. Operating across regions including the West Coast, North Bank and Upper River, the foundation delivers targeted vocational training, supports local agricultural food processing initiatives and advocates for policy reforms that enable women to participate fully in the formal economy.
During the forum in London, Dukureh will highlight practical strategies for integrating micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) owned by women in emerging markets into international supply chains. Drawing on the foundation’s work with multilateral partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) SheTrades Initiative and the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), the organisation seeks to foster new international partnerships that facilitate market access and export readiness for grassroots producers.
The foundation’s participation comes at a pivotal time for African trade, as institutional reforms and regional integration initiatives increasingly focus on inclusive growth. In The Gambia, the foundation has consistently championed measures such as public procurement reforms and affirmative action quotas to remove structural barriers faced by female entrepreneurs. Expanding these initiatives into international trade channels remains a core priority for the organisation.
“Connecting grassroots female entrepreneurs to regional and global trade networks is essential for building resilient local economies,” said Fatoumata Jawara Dukureh, Chief Executive Officer of the Maa Foundation for Women. “Our participation in this forum provides a valuable opportunity to engage with global trade leaders, share insights from our work in The Gambia, and forge partnerships that help women-led enterprises overcome market barriers and achieve sustainable economic independence.”
Throughout the three-day programme, Dukureh will engage in bilateral discussions and panel sessions focusing on trade facilitation, capacity building for MSMEs and sustainable economic development.
About Maa Foundation for Women
Maa Foundation for Women is a grassroots, women-led non-profit organisation headquartered in Brusubi, The Gambia. The foundation works across multiple administrative regions to advance women’s economic empowerment, leadership and sustainable livelihoods through vocational training, agricultural support, business development and policy advocacy. By partnering with international agencies and government bodies, the foundation creates practical pathways for female entrepreneurs to access markets and participate in economic decision-making.
About the International Trade Council Global Convocation & Leadership Forum
The International Trade Council Global Convocation & Leadership Forum is an international gathering of senior business executives, policymakers and trade experts. Held over three days at various venues across London, the event focuses on key issues shaping international commerce, including supply chain resilience, regulatory alignment, market entry strategies and inclusive economic growth.
About the International Trade Council
Established in 1956, the International Trade Council is an independent, non-lobbying peak-body chamber of commerce dedicated to promoting international trade and foreign direct investment. Represented in more than 179 countries with a global constituency exceeding 28,000 members, the Council serves businesses, government agencies, trade ministries, diplomatic missions and industry associations. It works to reduce trade barriers, encourage transparent and ethical commercial practices, conduct economic research, and deliver professional education through the ITC Academy.
About the International Centre for Trade Transparency and Monitoring
The International Centre for Trade Transparency Limited, trading as the International Centre for Trade Transparency and Monitoring (ICTTM), is a UK-registered commercial entity formed in November 2022 as a spin-off of the International Trade Council. Operating from offices in the United Kingdom and the Philippines, ICTTM focuses on enhancing visibility within global supply chains. The company developed ADAMftd, an artificial-intelligence trade intelligence platform that processes real-time and historical customs records, shipping data, tariff structures and compliance listings to assist organisations with market analysis, counterparty risk assessment and trade forecasting.
Media Contact
Fatoumata Jawara Dukureh
Chief Executive Officer
Maa Foundation for Women
fatoumattajawara11@gmail.com
