Focus Areas
Key Focus Areas
The Equal Trade Alliance Steering Committee is driven by four key focus areas, each designed to address the most pressing challenges in Africa’s trade systems. Through collaboration and strategic partnerships, the Steering Committee works to ensure that Africa’s resources are leveraged for the benefit of its people and that equitable trade becomes a reality.
Political and Institutional Support
The Steering Committee actively engages with African governments, policymakers, and institutions to gain political backing for the Equal Trade Certification model. By securing institutional support at both national and regional levels, the committee advocates for trade policies that ensure fair revenue-sharing, economic independence, and sustainable growth across the continent.
Key activities include:
- Lobbying for the adoption of Equal Trade policies at the national level.
- Engaging with regional bodies such as the African Union and economic communities (e.g., ECOWAS, SADC) to create a unified political stance on equitable trade.
- Collaborating with national institutions to integrate the Equal Trade model into trade policies and development plans.
Financial Backing
Financial sustainability is a crucial pillar for the success of the Equal Trade Alliance. The Steering Committee is focused on mobilizing resources from corporate donors, governments, philanthropic organizations, and international development agencies. This financial backing will fund the core operations, advocacy campaigns, and expansion of the Equal Trade Certification across Africa.
Key activities include:
- Securing funding through partnerships with multinational corporations, international donors, and African businesses.
- Organizing fundraising campaigns to support awareness efforts and infrastructure development for the Equal Trade movement.
- Developing a sustainable financial model that will ensure long-term operations without dependence on foreign aid or debt.
Advocacy and Awareness
Raising awareness about the need for equitable trade practices is essential to the success of the Equal Trade Alliance. The Steering Committee leads various advocacy campaigns aimed at educating and mobilizing key stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and the general public.
Key activities include:
- Launching media campaigns to increase public awareness and understanding of the Equal Trade Certification.
- Mobilizing civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, and grassroots movements to advocate for equitable trade practices.
- Engaging with the private sector to adopt and promote Equal Trade standards in their supply chains.
Global South Partnerships
The Steering Committee aims to establish strong partnerships with countries across the Global South, promoting collaboration on equitable trade practices. By aligning with nations in Latin America, Asia, and other regions that face similar trade challenges, the committee seeks to create a united front advocating for fairer global trade systems.
Key activities include:
- Building strategic alliances with countries and organizations in the Global South.
- Sharing best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of the Equal Trade model in Africa.
- Engaging in international forums to push for reforms in the global trade system that benefit developing nations.
