Workshop on Enhancing the Preparedness of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to take up opportunities in the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
On 1st January, 2021, the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) came into operation with the official launch of trading marking a significant milestone towards the world’s largest free-trade zone.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to bring together 1.2 billion people in a $3.4 trillion economic bloc that will be the largest free trade area since the establishment of the World Trade Organization. The AfCFTA is expected to boost trade among African countries while allowing the continent to develop its own value chains. The World Bank estimates it could lift tens of millions out of poverty by 2035.
The reality however is that a majority of SMEs which comprise over 70% of Africa’s private sector are not yet prepared neither are they well versed on the potential benefits of this integration. The unpreparedness of SMEs largely stems from lack of information about trading across borders. Many small and medium enterprises are clueless about customs procedures, standards and other regulatory processes.
There is a need to unpackage the AfCFTA for SMEs to not only gain understanding on the provisions therein, but also to provide and avail information to SMEs about the trade facilitations documents that are required to trade across the borders. Without capacity building and training, it will be impossible for SMEs to trade and take advantage of the ACFTA opportunities.
Ignite Trade Africa has organised a new course Exporting within the AfCFTA which is delivered in a series of Workshops aimed at empowering and equipping SMEs to create sustainable growth through successful expansion into the African markets by leveraging on the AfCFTA.
Target
- Entrepreneurs & SMEs Owners
- Companies seeking to do business in African Markets
- Companies that do not currently have an export strategy
- Service based enterprises
Course Outcomes
- Gain understanding on the provisions and opportunities of/under the AfCFTA
- Understand the export processes in the AfCFTA
- Identify opportunities for business expansion into African Markets
- Develop an export strategy
Workshop Details:
Dates : 11th & 12th March, 2021 09.00AM – 12.00PM
Venue : ITA Centre, Diamond Plaza 2, Nairobi
Investment : Kshs. 12,500 (inclusive of training materials and teas/snacks)