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
Unit Head | Trade Facilitation Coega Development Corporation
Head of Department | Department for Economic and Small Business
development, and Tourism and Environmental
Affairs Free State
President | African United Business Confederation
CEO | Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)
Managing Director Development Advisory & Impact (DAI) | Bigen
Executive director | Centre of Excellence in Financial Services
CEO | Tshwane Economic Development Agency
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)
Technical Manager | AFROSAI-E
Founder | JX & Co
CEO | Sovereign Africa Ratings
Executive Director | Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF)
Managing Partner and Head of Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions : South Africa | Andersen in South Africa
Director Indirect Tax & International Trade Practice : South Africa |Andersen in South Africa,
0730 Registration and networking
0815 Opening remarks from the chairperson – Prof Rajen Pillay- Garuda Capital Pty
0830 Dr Sifiso Falala | CEO | Sovereign Africa Ratings
Topic: From Vision to Reality – Unblocking the Path to Africa’s Economic Integration
0930 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
1030 Lwazi Mboyi | CEO | Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)
Topic: Support mechanisms needed for SMME’s to take advantage of the AfCFTA
1100 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
1130 Dr. Lardo Stander | CEO| Tshwane Economic Development Agency
Topic: TBC
1130 Edmond Shoko-Lekhuleni | Technical Manager | AFROSAI-E
Topic: AfCFTA National Implementation Strategies:
• Aligning national Strategies with Continental Goals for Cohesive Implementation.
• Prioritizing Trade Facilitation and Infrastructure Investment to Reduce Non-Tariff Barriers.
• Engaging Private Sector and MSMEs in Strategy Development for Inclusive Growth.
1200 to 1230: Derrick Kaufmann |Managing Partner and Head of Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions: South Africa| Andersen in South Africa
Topic: Unlocking AfCFTA’s Potential: Policy Reforms and Trade Facilitation for M&A Growth
1230 to 1300 Yamani Selana| Director Indirect Tax & International Trade Practice : South Africa| Andersen in South Africa
Topic: From Vision to Reality – Unblocking the Path to Africa’s Economic Integration
1400 Panel Session
Panel:
Dr 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
Dr Sifiso Falala | CEO | Sovereign Africa Ratings
Derrick Kaufmann | Managing Partner and Head of Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions : South Africa | Andersen in South Africa
Yamani Selana | Director Indirect Tax & International Trade Practice : South Africa |Andersen in South Africa.
1500 Closing Remarks from Chairperson
1515 Networking Tea Break: End of Conference
0700 Registration and networking
0815 Opening remarks from the chairperson
0830 Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ | Head of Department | Department for Economic and Small Business development, and Tourism and Environmental Affairs Free State
Topic : AfCFTA in the age of deepening geopolitical tensions.
0900 Jabu Mabobo | Executive Director | Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF)
Topic: EMPOWERING MSMES: CATALYSTS FOR GROWING REGIONAL TRADE
0930 Lehlogonolo Masoga | Interim Group Executive: Trade, Investment & Industrialization
Topic: The role of logistics infrastructure to promote intra-Africa trade
1000 Networking Tea Break
1030 George Sebulela | President | African United Business Confederation
Topic: Overview of the AfCFTA framework and its implications for MSMEs.
1100 JX Gumede | Founder | JX & Co
Topic: Building Africa’s Future: How Food, Trade, and AI Shape Our Freedom
1130 Anathi Mlungwana | Unit Head: Trade Facilitation | Coega Development Corporation
Topic: Coega Development Corporation SEZ- Supporting the vision of the AfCFTA
1200 Mark Brits | Executive Director | Centre of Excellence in Financial Services
Topic: A banking industry response to the AfCFTA
1230 Nico Jobe Mabaso | Registered Business Rescue Partitioner | IMCSA: Founder & Managing Partner | Veltistos
Solutions Pty Ltd
Topic: Business Optimization as a Services_ opportunity optimization in a Dynamic African Market
1300 Networking Lunch
1400 Panel Session
Panel:
Mark Brits | Executive Director | Centre of Excellence in Financial Services
Lehlogonolo Masoga | Interim Group Executive : Trade Investment & Industrialization | Limpopo Economic
Development Agency (LIEDA)
George Sebulela | President | African United Business Confederation
Jabu Mabobo | Executive Director | Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF)
JX Gumede | Founder | JX & Co
Anathi Mlungwana | Unit Head: Trade Facilitation | Coega Development Corporation
Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ | Head of Department | Department for Economic and Small Business development, and
Tourism and Environmental Affairs Free State
Nico Jobe Mabaso | Registered Business Rescue Partitioner | IMCSA: Founder & Managing Partner | Veltistos
Solutions Pty Ltd
1500 Closing Remarks from Chairperson
1515 Networking Tea Break: End of Conference
Cost per person
NB: Price is in South African Rand. Price displayed excludes VAT.
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