Sub-Saharan Africa alone has 44 million MSMEs, with 3 million located in South Africa. The AfCFTA presents vast opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), consisting of 55 countries, 1.3 billion people and an export potential of $22 billion. MSMEs play a vital role in driving the AFCFTA and boosting Africa’s industrial capacity. The AfCFTA Secretariat also recognises the role of MSMEs in driving intra-Africa trade and has created the AfCFTA Private Sector Strategy, focusing on four priority sectors: pharmaceuticals, automotive, agro-processing, and transport and logistics.
To support the operationalisation of the AfCFTA and ensure MSMEs take advantage of the new market opportunities, it is important that MSMEs are capacitated with the necessary skills, resources, and support. The AfCFTA Private Sector Strategy highlights that MSMEs need to be supported to improve their competitiveness through practical assistance in developing business plans, creating efficient recruitment processes, and leveraging innovation support.
The 2024 AfCFTA Conference convened stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions, to explore effective strategies for empowering MSMEs to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA. This conference will discuss support mechanisms for MSMEs, including government policies that promote a conducive business environment and initiatives aimed at reducing trade barriers.
Connect with a diverse range of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, policymakers and industry
leaders to build valuable partnerships and collaborations.
Gain insights from expert speakers and panel discussions on best practices and innovative approaches
to empowering MSMEs.
Discover funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and support services tailored to the needs of
MSMEs.
Engage with policymakers and contribute your perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced
by MSMEs.
Learn practical strategies for leveraging the AfCFTA framework to access the One Africa market. Gain
insights into cross-border trade opportunities, compliance requirements, and market entry strategies
that can help MSMEs effectively navigate and compete in the broader African market.
We promote and create opportunities for professionalism in the
development and management of sustainable energy. We create a total
continuous learning experience for delegates. We serve!
Prof. Rajen Pillay
Ceo | Garuda Capital (PTY) LTD
Head of Department | Department for Economic and Small Business
development, and Tourism and Environmental
Affairs Free State
Unit Head | Trade Facilitation Coega Development Corporation
CEO | Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)
President | African United Business Confederation
Executive director | Centre of Excellence in Financial Services
Managing Director Development Advisory & Impact (DAI) | Bigen
Interim Group Executive: Trade, Investment & Industrialization | LEDA
Registered Business Rescue Partitioner | IMCSA: Founder & Managing Partner at Veltistos Solutions Pty Ltd
Acting Head of the Economic Resilience and Inclusiveness Programme | South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
CEO | Tshwane Economic Development Agency
Executive Director | Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF)
07:30 Registration and networking
08:45 Opening remarks from the chairperson – Prof Rajen Pillay- Garuda Capital Pty
09:00 Anathi Mlungwana | Unit Head: Trade Facilitation | Coega Development Corporation
Topic: Coega Development Corporation SEZ- Supporting the vision of the AfCFTA
09:30 Dr Mthandazo Ngwenya| Managing Director| Development Advisory & Impact (DAI) | Bigen Group
Topic: Expanding the role of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in closing the critical infrastructure deficit in Africa that hinders trade under the AfCFTA trade programme
10:00 Networking tea break
10:30 Lwazi Mboyi | CEO | Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)
Topic: Support mechanisms needed for SMME’s to take advantage of the AfCFTA
11:00 Joseph Upile Matola | Acting Head of the Economic Resilience and Inclusiveness Programme | South
African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
Topic: Making the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade work to achieve inclusivity
11:40 Dr. Lardo Stander | CEO| Tshwane Economic Development Agency
Topic: TBC
12:10 TBC
12:40 Networking Lunch
13:40 Panel Session
Panel:
Anathi Mlungwana | Unit Head: Trade Facilitation | Coega Development Corporation
Mthandazo Ngwenya| Managing Director| Development Advisory & Impact (DAI) | Bigen Group
Lwazi Mboyi | CEO | Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)
Joseph Upile Matola | Acting Head of the Economic Resilience and Inclusiveness Programme | South
African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
Dr. Lardo Stander | CEO| Tshwane Economic Development Agency
15:00 Closing Remarks from Chairperson
15:15 Networking Tea Break: End of Conference
07:00 Registration and networking
08:45 Opening remarks from the chairperson
09:00 Mark Brits | Executive director | Centre of Excellence in Financial Services.
Topic: A banking industry response to the AfCFTA
09:30 Lehlogonolo Masoga I Interim Group Executive: Trade, Investment & Industrialization
Topic: The role of logistics infrastructure to promote intra-Africa trade
10:00 Networking tea break
10:30 George Sebulela | President | African United Business Confederation
Topic: Overview of the AfCFTA framework and its implications for MSMEs.
11:00 Jabu Mabobo | Executive Director | Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF)
11:30 TBC
12:00 TBC
13:00 Networking Lunch
14:00 Panel Session
Panel:
Mark Brits | Executive director | Centre of Excellence in Financial Services.
Lehlogonolo Masoga (Mr) I Interim Group Executive: Trade, Investment & Industrialization
George Sebulela | President | African United Business Confederation
Jabu Mabobo | Executive Director | Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF)
15:00 Closing Remarks from Chairperson
15:15 Networking Tea Break: End of Conference
Cost per person
NB: Price is in South African Rand. Price displayed excludes VAT.
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