SheTrades

What SheTrades does

SheTrades is an initiative of the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 2017 (under ITC's Women and Trade Programme), the platform is purpose-built to connect women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses in developing and least-developed countries to international markets by addressing gaps in trade-relevant skills, finance access, market intelligence, and networks. Its core beneficiaries are women-led SMBs across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and MENA, with secondary beneficiaries being corporate buyers/investors and policymakers.

The platform is a multi-product ecosystem rather than a single application. It comprises the SheTrades global web portal (shetrades.com), SheTrades Academy (a Moodle-based e-learning platform offering courses on export readiness, trade finance, marketing, logistics, and competitiveness, available in English, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Russian, and Bangla), SheTrades Outlook (an interactive analytical tool assessing country-level performance on women's participation in trade across 64 countries using 83+ indicators and six pillars, with data from over 1,000 institutions), SheTrades Invest (a finance-readiness platform connecting women entrepreneurs with capital providers), and SheTrades Hubs (a network of 20 in-country and 2 regional physical resource centres co-implemented with national export promotion agencies, ministries, and development banks). A Company Self-Assessment Tool benchmarks women-owned businesses across four competencies and 18 capabilities and generates personalized course recommendations. Scale metrics include 400,000+ enrollments and 90,000+ certificates across SME Trade Academy, 4,500 women trained through Hubs, $1.2 million in business leads at the 2022 Fruit Attraction Trade Fair, and 1,768+ women entrepreneurs reached through the 2025 Visa partnership.

The business model is non-commercial: all services are provided free to women entrepreneurs and businesses, with the initiative funded by institutional donors, development partners, and corporate sponsors including Visa, Maersk, DHL, GEPA, Absa Bank Kenya, Mercado Libre, UPS, the Asian Development Bank, EIF, OPEC Fund, and ITFC. Distribution is hybrid: a self-serve global digital platform paired with physical Hubs, trade missions, and partner-referral channels. The senior leader is Judith Fessehaie, Head of ITC SheTrades.

Name

SheTrades

Legal name

Women and Trade Programme - ITC

Website

https://shetrades.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SheTrades is an initiative of the International Trade Centre (UN/WTO) that provides free digital tools, e-learning, and a 22-Hub network to help women entrepreneurs in developing countries access international markets, trade finance, and skills.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Trade Development Platform

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Skills, Competency & Capability Management (Skills Frameworks, Badging within LMS) (EDAFAAAE)

Keywords

• Women trade development
• E-learning platform
• Trade finance access
• Gender trade analytics
• Entrepreneurship capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Free platform services for women entrepreneurs: SheTrades services are provided free of charge to women entrepreneurs and businesses. The initiative is funded by international development organizations, governments, and corporate partners. Revenue comes from project-based funding, grants, and in-kind contributions from funders and partners rather than direct fees from end users.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SheTrades is a free digital ecosystem that connects women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses in developing countries to international markets. It delivers this through four integrated software platforms — the global web portal, SheTrades Academy (e-learning), SheTrades Outlook (gender-and-trade data analytics), and SheTrades Invest (investment readiness and capital connections) — combined with a network of 22 physical Hubs and trade missions, with all services provided free to women entrepreneurs and funded by ITC, development donors, and corporate partners.

Product overview

The ITC SheTrades Initiative operates a multi-platform ecosystem centered on the SheTrades global web platform (shetrades.com), which serves as the primary portal for women entrepreneurs to access learning, finance, networking, and market opportunities. The ecosystem comprises four interconnected digital products: SheTrades Academy (e-learning platform for trade skills), SheTrades Outlook (country-level analytics tool on gender and trade with 64-country coverage), SheTrades Invest (capital connectivity service), and SheTrades Hubs (a network of 22 physical and regional resource centers). Supporting tools include a Company Self-Assessment Tool for competitiveness benchmarking. The products work together to deliver a comprehensive pathway from skills development and business assessment through to market access and investment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SheTrades Academy: E-learning platform providing courses on trade, export readiness, finance, and business competitiveness for women entrepreneurs
• SheTrades Outlook
• SheTrades Hubs
• SheTrades Invest

Products and services

• SheTrades Global Platform Main ITC SheTrades web platform (shetrades.com) serving as the global community portal for women in trade, providing access to e-learning courses, finance connections via SheTrades Invest, networking opportunities, publications, events, and SheTrades Hubs.
• SheTrades Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,768+ women entrepreneurs supported with digital trade skills since 2025 through Gulf and sub-Saharan Africa programmes with Visa.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• VisaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026Visa and ITC SheTrades partnered to deliver a women's digital trade programme covering the Gulf Cooperation Council and sub-Saharan Africa, supporting over 1,768 women entrepreneurs with digital payment skills and cross-border trade capabilities. The programme expanded to Ghana in June 2026, delivering financial literacy, business management, e-commerce training, and digital payment tool integration through GEPA's SheTrades Ghana Hub.
• Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGEPA hosts the SheTrades Ghana Hub and serves as a key implementation partner for the Visa-SheTrades digital trade programme in Ghana. GEPA brings its export development mandate and wide membership of women-led businesses to the programme, facilitating training, workshops, and networking events.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB) Trade & Supply Chain Finance ProgrammecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerADB and SheTrades collaborated to curate and translate a 10-course training package into Bangla, Vietnamese, and Russian, making business and trade courses accessible to women entrepreneurs in Asia. Courses are available on SheTrades Academy with ITC certificates.
• MaerskminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaersk partnered with SheTrades to produce video stories of women entrepreneurs defying odds in logistics and sustainability. The collaboration highlights inclusive trade and features women-led businesses supported by SheTrades in their sustainability and trade journey.
• UPSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUPS partnered with SheTrades to deliver a coaching programme in Nigeria helping women entrepreneurs navigate national and international markets, improving logistics and export knowledge.
• Absa Bank KenyacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAbsa Bank Kenya hosts the SheTrades Kenya Hub and provides banking expertise, mentorship, and financial services support to women-led businesses in Kenya through the SheTrades ecosystem.
• DHLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDHL contributes logistics expertise, mentorship, and potential discounts on shipping services to women entrepreneurs in the SheTrades community, helping them overcome logistics challenges in international trade.
• Mercado LibreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMercado Libre provides e-commerce platform access, mentorship, and market opportunity insights to women entrepreneurs, supporting their integration into online marketplaces and digital trade.
• Sidley Austin LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSidley Austin LLP contributes legal expertise and advisory services to SheTrades, providing pro bono legal guidance on trade, regulatory, and business matters for women entrepreneurs.
• Dubai Industries and ExportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDubai Industries and Exports (UAE) hosts the SheTrades MENA Regional Hub, connecting women entrepreneurs to Dubai and UAE markets and providing trade promotion support and export guidance.
• Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVIETRADE hosts the SheTrades Viet Nam Hub, providing trade promotion services, market intelligence, and networking opportunities to women-led businesses in Vietnam.
• Secretaria de Economia Mexico (UDP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMexico's Ministry of Economy through UDP supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with a focus on reducing inequality, partnering with SheTrades to advance women entrepreneurs in trade.
• Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIF is a multilateral partnership dedicated to assisting least developed countries (LDCs) use trade as an engine for growth, collaborating with SheTrades on initiatives that benefit women in LDCs.
• Caribbean Development BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCDB hosts the SheTrades Caribbean Regional Hub, providing regional coordination and financial inclusion expertise for women-led businesses across Caribbean nations.
• EDB MauritiuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEDB Mauritius hosts the SheTrades Mauritius Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs with export development and investment promotion services.
• Private Sector Federation Rwanda (Women Chamber of Entrepreneurs)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Private Sector Federation Rwanda, specifically the Women Chamber of Entrepreneurs, hosts the SheTrades Rwanda Hub, delivering training and market access programmes for women entrepreneurs including barista and packaging training.
• Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (South Africa)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSEDA hosts the SheTrades South Africa Hub, providing small enterprise development services and finance linkages to women-led businesses.
• SME Foundation (Bangladesh)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSME Foundation hosts the SheTrades Bangladesh Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs through SME development programmes and linkages to national trade support institutions.
• Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFIEO hosts the SheTrades India Hub, supporting women-led businesses with export readiness, market intelligence, and international trade connections.
• Womanpreneur (Indonesia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWomanpreneur hosts the SheTrades Indonesia Hub, providing a community platform and support services for women entrepreneurs in Indonesia.
• Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and IndustrycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMNCCI hosts the SheTrades Mongolia Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs with trade facilitation and business development services.
• Department of Trade and Industry Philippines (EMB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDTI-EMB hosts the SheTrades Philippines Hub, providing trade promotion and enterprise development support to women-led businesses.
• Sri Lanka Export Development BoardcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSri Lanka EDB hosts the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs with export strategy and market access services.
• ProDominicanacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProDominicana hosts the SheTrades Dominican Republic Hub, promoting women-led exports and investment opportunities.
• Agencia Argentina de Inversiones y Comercio InternacionalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArgentina's investment and trade agency hosts the SheTrades Argentina Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs with international trade services.
• Apex BrasilcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApex Brasil hosts the SheTrades Brazil Hub, supporting Brazilian women entrepreneurs with export development and international market access.
• Unión de Exportadores del UruguaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUruguay exporters union hosts the SheTrades Uruguay Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs with export services and trade connections.
• Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEPC hosts the SheTrades Nigeria Hub, providing export promotion and trade development services to women entrepreneurs.
• Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (Gambia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Gambian Ministry hosts the SheTrades Gambia Hub, providing government-level trade support to women entrepreneurs.
• ZimTradecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZimTrade hosts the SheTrades Zimbabwe Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs with export promotion and market access services in Zimbabwe.
• ExportTT / Ministry of Trade and Industry (Trinidad & Tobago)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExportTT and Trinidad & Tobago's Ministry of Trade jointly host the SheTrades Trinidad & Tobago Hub, supporting women entrepreneurs with export services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UN Women: UN entity dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment, with extensive economic empowerment programming. Operates as a broader UN counterpart to ITC's trade-focused mandate, and shares UN-system legitimacy and political exposure.
• IFC (International Finance Corporation) Women in Business: World Bank Group's private-sector development arm, operating the Banking on Women program and We-Fi financing facility. Operates at a comparable scale to SheTrades but with a financial-institution intermediary model rather than direct SME engagement.
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women: Goldman Sachs' flagship business education program for women entrepreneurs globally. Comparable target beneficiary (women SMBs) and curriculum (business management, access to capital) but delivered through a single corporate sponsor at much narrower scale than SheTrades.

Regional players

• TradeMark Africa: East Africa-focused trade facilitation organization that builds trade infrastructure and capacity. Operates a similar hub-and-data model but regionally focused on East Africa, with comparable donor-funded, multi-country programmatic delivery.

Direct peers

• WEConnect International: Global non-profit certifying women-owned businesses and connecting them to corporate buyers. WEConnect operates a similar model of corporate partnership, supplier network curation, and women-trader capacity building across multiple emerging markets.
• Women's World Banking: Non-profit focused on financial inclusion for unbanked and underbanked women. Operates a similar hub-and-network model and partners with financial institutions to deliver capability building, directly comparable to SheTrades Invest.
• Springboard Enterprises: Non-profit accelerator connecting women entrepreneurs with investors, advisors, and corporate partners. Comparable in its focus on growth-stage women-led businesses seeking capital and networks, with a stronger investor-cursor angle than SheTrades.
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: Foundation supporting women entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East through skills training, mentoring, and digital inclusion programs. Targets a similar beneficiary segment (women SMBs in emerging markets) with comparable capacity-building offerings.
• Bpeace: Non-profit that recruits business professionals to advise women entrepreneurs in post-conflict and emerging economies. Targets a highly comparable beneficiary profile (women SMBs in developing markets) and emphasizes market-access outcomes.
• ITC SME Trade Academy: Sister initiative under the same International Trade Centre parent. The SME Trade Academy shares the SheTrades Academy e-learning platform infrastructure and delivers trade-related courses to entrepreneurs globally, including the 400,000+ enrollments that SheTrades partially attributes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SMEtradeacademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0r537pUpG6SJCUiLEa5-fA
• Facebookfacebook.com/smetradeacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/smetradeacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SheTrades