Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day.

“African entrepreneurs contributing to, and benefitting from AfCFTA.”

27th June 2023. African Union Headquarters.

The commemoration of the Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day focuses on the contribution by Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises to sustainable development and the global economy. Recognizing the need to focus on the importance of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in achieving the Agenda 2063 Goals, in particular in promoting innovation, creativity, and decent work for all, and the importance of encouraging the formalization, participation, and growth of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in international, regional and national markets, including through access for all to capacity-building and financial services, such as affordable microfinance and credit.

As part of the effort to inspire economic growth and transformation on the continent, the African Union Small and Medium Enterprises Strategy was developed and adopted in 2019 by the Executive Council. The Strategy was endorsed by the Heads of State and Government during the 17th Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification on 25th November 2022 in Niamey, Niger. Its main objective is to develop competitive, diversified, and sustainable economies underpinned by dynamic, entrepreneurial, and industrial sectors that generate employment, reduce poverty, and foster social inclusion.

An Integrated Programme Delivery Framework for the Implementation of the AU MSME Strategy recommended regular interface and knowledge exchange meetings on the status of SME development resulting from the implementation of the SME Strategy to take place at the regional and continental levels.

OBJECTIVES OF COMMEMORATING THE MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES DAY.

The purpose of commemorating Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day is to provide awareness of the positive impact of MSMEs on African Economies and provide avenues to share knowledge and information to support MSME Development through various programs from AU Partner Organizations. Commemorating MSME Day is to also build awareness of the upcoming 2nd AU MSME Annual Forum which will take place in Niamey, Niger from 4-8 September 2023. Under the theme “Start-up Acts: An emerging instrument to foster development and Innovation in Africa”.

ACTIVITIES FOR MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES DAY.

The African Union Commission, Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals Department (AUC-ETTIM) recognizes the importance of MSMEs as drivers of economic growth and job creation on the continent. In this regard, the AUC-ETTIM is organizing a High-level event that will serve the purpose of commemorating the International Day of MSMEs, this will take place in a High-Level commemoration event, two important panel sessions, and an experts group meeting with Ministries, Directors, and Agencies in-charge of MSME development in AU Member States.

The high-level event will be graced by principals of Institutions working on developing and promoting MSMEs on the continent. Some of the institutions include AUC-ETTIM, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Africa Business Council (AfBC), the International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and the World Association for SMEs (WASME).

The two-panel sessions promise to be highly stimulating policy-oriented platforms bringing together eminent African and international business leaders and entrepreneurs, academics, emerging youth Start-Ups in Digital and Innovation, and other stakeholder groups to engage in practical conversations for enhancing inclusive growth and economic transformation through an ecosystem that fosters innovation and accelerates Africa’s structural transformation.

Follow the High Level event on –

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkce2uqjgrH9VYjpalWl8HrvS8LFP6yhYm

The Panel discussions are organized in a hybrid format and will focus on:

Follow the discussions on –

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwuce6rrj0vG9W8VvuHcng22rndAwbgqbmo#/r...

1. Start-up Acts: An emerging instrument to foster development and innovation in Africa.

Start-up Acts can significantly improve private sector development and tackle high unemployment rates and economic development. The passage of Start-up Acts in Tunisia and Senegal, in 2018 and 2019 respectively, paved the way for multiple proposals in other African countries that reflect the growing interest in improving the enabling environment for start-ups and investors. Designed to make it easier for start- ups to operate, Start-up Acts include an amalgamation of policies intended to increase the incentives for young people to start a venture, investors to put their money into promising companies, and other ecosystem actors to lend their support where it’s needed. For Tunisia and Senegal the two first movers in this arena, these policies are part of broader government strategies to position their countries as innovation hubs by leveraging an emerging tech scene to improve economic development.

2. Role of SMEs in Boosting Intra-African Trade.

The Session will look at the role of MSMEs in developing the continent by contributing effectively to the continental market ushered in by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA). The panel discussion will, therefore, look among others providing solutions for MSMEs to effectively participate in the continental market. It will unearth the various strategies that can be or have already been employed to address the challenges faced by MSMEs such as finance, access to affordable energy, and market intelligence.

3. Experts Group Meeting.

Expert Group Meeting for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Charge of MSMEs will be convened in a closed session. The focus of the meeting is on the alignment of National Policy Frameworks and Action Plans with the AU MSME Strategy and Facilitating a Common African Position on MSME Development Through Trade.

Agenda Programme.

Read more about the Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day and the programme for the day.

For more details, kindly contact:

Doreen Apollos |Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: ApollosD@africa-union.org

Bulelwa Nkosi | SME Expert Industry, Innovation, and Minerals Division Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals |Department African Union Commission | E-mail: NkosiB@africa-union.org