WEConnect International, a global network of corporations committed to sourcing goods and services from women suppliers, signed an agreement to boost access to markets for women-owned small and medium enterprises in emerging markets. The agreement is IFC’s first active partnership supported by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, or We-Fi. 

Under the agreement, IFC and WEConnect International will increase the number of companies that source from women-owned businesses, with an emphasis on Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Activities will include peer-learning sessions for companies on the business case for sourcing from women and highlight approaches from corporations with diverse and inclusive global value chains. Topics will address strategies that companies can adopt to identify and support women suppliers as well as emerging practices in improving access to working capital.