The establishment of the Africa Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Annual Forum is in line with the African Union Small and Medium Enterprises Strategy. This was adopted, in January 2019, by the Second Specialized Technical Committee on Trade, Industry and Minerals and endorsed by the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in February 2019, as a continental framework on the development of these important segments of enterprise development across Africa. 

Recognizing the vital role that MSMEs play in driving economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction, the forum serves as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and develop strategies to support the growth and development of MSMEs.

Since its inception, the forum has brought together over 500 industry leaders, policymakers, and small businesses to foster innovation, enhance capacity, and promote sustainable development.

 The 1st annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum was held in Cairo, Egypt, under the theme Powering industrialization through SMEs, Women and Youth Entrepreneurs for inclusive development.”

The 2nd annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme “Start-up Acts: Fostering Development and Innovation in Africa.”

The 2024 Edition the 3rd annual MSME Fourm

The MSME Forum presents to you an opportunity to be a part of the African Union MSME Forum, the forum is designed for MSMEs in Africa to Engage with experts, peers, and tackle the challenges facing small businesses at large, and accelerate their growth in the AfCFTA. 

This year 3rd Annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum under the theme Fostering Financial Empowerment and Educational Innovation for African Startups & MSMEs will be convened by the Department of Economic Development, Trade. Tourism, Industry and Minerals Department (ETTIM) and the Nambia Investment Promotion and Development Board through the Goverement of Nambia.

The Forum has prioritized key sectors which are as Agriculture, Manufacturing, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Mineral Sector, and Creative Industries. These sectors align with the African Union's key strategies, including the SME Strategy, Fashion Industry Development Strategy and the Commodity Strategy. It also supports Agenda 2063's vision for sustainable development by empowering African small businesses to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and contribute to long-term job creation across the continent.

By concentrating our efforts on these priority sectors, we aim to maximize the impact of our initiatives and support the sustainable growth of MSMEs.

MSME Fourm Programme

The four-day forum will include a variety of activities aimed at equipping MSMEs with the information and skills needed to trade and boost intra-African trade under the AfCFTA. Here's a breakdown of the activities - Masterclasses, workshops, exhibitions, and information sessions will provide practical knowledge and skills to MSMEs.

Day 1: Setting the Stage

• Opening Ceremony: Keynote address by a high-level government official or industry leader.
• Plenary Session: Overview of the AfCFTA and its potential benefits for MSMEs.
• Masterclass: Understanding the AfCFTA Rules of Origin and Tariff Schedules.
• Workshop: Building Effective Cross-Border Trade Partnerships.

Day 2: Deep Dive into Opportunities

• Panel Discussion: How MSMEs can take advantage of the Integrated African Market.
• Exhibition Opening: Showcase of African products and services.
• Masterclass: Digital Marketing Strategies for African MSMEs.
• Workshop: Negotiating Effective Trade Agreements.

Day 3: Innovation and Empowerment

• High-Level Panel Discussion: Fostering Financial Empowerment and Educational Innovation.
• Launch of the Lithium-Ion Hackathon: Announcement of competition details and judging criteria.
• Masterclass: Intellectual Property Protection for African Innovators.
• Workshop: Accessing Green Financing for Sustainable Businesses.

Day 4: Closing and Side Events

• Media Roundtable: Discussion on the forum's outcomes and future prospects.
• Afreximbank Training: Export Readiness and Fintech.
• Catalyzing SME Excellence: Balancing Quality and Innovation.
• Leveraging Educational Innovation: The Role of Digital and Financial Literacy.
• Sensitization and Validation Workshop: Draft AU Strategy on Export Growth and Diversification.
• Closing Ceremony: Recap of key achievements and future plans.

About the Enterprise African Network (EAN) Fellowship

Department of Economic Development, Trade. Tourism, Industry and Minerals Department (ETTIM) has launched the inaugural Enterprise African Network (EAN) Fellowship, a 12-month program designed to support 50 innovative African small businesses. These businesses, representing 30 nationalities from all five African regions, are already making significant contributions in sectors such as sustainable agriculture, manufacturing, digital transformation, mineral resource value addition, and the creative industries.

The EAN Fellowship aims to amplify the impact of these businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the growth of the African economy. It aligns with the African Union's broader goals of promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent, ultimately contributing to the prosperity of African nations.

Key objectives of the Fourm

The overall objective emphasizes Fostering Growth and Innovation for MSMEs in Africa

1. Promote MSME Development: Enhance the capacity of MSMEs through training, mentorship, and access to resources.
2. Facilitate Collaboration: Establish a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to collaborate and share knowledge.
3. Support Financial Access: Bridge the financial gap for MSMEs by facilitating access to funding and investment opportunities.
4. Drive Innovation: Encourage the adoption of innovative practices and technologies to enhance MSME competitiveness.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Documentation of financial products and the stages of business at which they can be accessed
2. To devise practical policy recommendations and solutions that enable the environment to ease access to funding
3. To provide evidence-based solutions on how entrepreneurs can access funding
4. To showcase investment-ready SMEs to the African entrepreneurial ecosystem

For more information, please contact:

Bulelwa Nkosi | Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: nkosib@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mr. Oloyede Abimifoluwa | Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail:OloyedeA@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Media contact

Ms. Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng|Communications Officer-Agenda 2063 | African Union Commission | Email: ochiengj@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |