The 4th Annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum: Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa.

The establishment of the Africa Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Annual Forum is in line with the African Union Small and Medium Enterprises Strategy SME 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 900 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 3rd annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum was held in Windhoek, Namibia, under the theme “Fostering Financial Empowerment and Educational Innovation for African Startups & MSMEs” The 3rd annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum was held in Windhoek, Namibia, under the theme "Fostering Financial Empowerment and Educational Innovation for African Startups & MSMEs". During the Forum, the African Union Commission launched the Enterprise African Network Fellowship Programme, where 50 small businesses were selected in its pilot phase, to ensure that Small Businesses are Export Ready and investor ready after 1 year of training.

The 2025 Edition of the Annual MSME Forum

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’s 4^th Annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) forum would be centred around the theme Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa. It will be convened by the Department of Economic Development, Trade. Tourism, Industry and Minerals Department (ETTIM) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The 4th AU MSME Forum will bring together policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, and entrepreneurs to assess the current state of MSMEs in Africa, share practical strategies for improving access to finance, market opportunities, and digital tools, and align national and continental policies for MSME development. The Forum also aims to support women and youth-led enterprises, promote regional integration through AfCFTA, and highlight models for scaling affordable financing and improving the business environment for MSMEs. This is in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063's for sustainable development by empowering African small businesses to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and contribute to long-term job creation across the continent.

MSME Forum Programme

Day 1: Monday, 23 June 2025

• Opening Ceremony: Keynote address from High Level Government officials and development partners.
• High-Level Panel Session: Focus on MSME resilience through digital innovation, market access, and affordable financing.
• Exhibition Launch: Opening of the MSME Forum exhibition space.
• Keynote Address: Delivered by the Vice President of Nigeria.

Day 2: Tuesday, 24 June 2025

• Policy Track: Review of Countries’ MSME policy and AU SME Strategy and deliberation on creating a supportive policy environment.
• Finance Track: Panels on access to finance for MSMEs, including roles of banks, government, and development institutions.
• Side Events: Sessions on women and youth-led enterprises, and fireside chats on supporting women entrepreneurs.
• Training & Presentations: Pitch training and presentation by WASME (World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises) on Africa partnerships.

Day 3: Wednesday, 25 June 2025

• Policy Track: Discussions on improving the business environment and regional collaboration.
• Finance Track: Sessions on affordable financing, risk-sharing, and the role of development banks and private sector.
• AfCFTA Focus: UNDP-led session on scaling MSMEs through continental trade opportunities.
• Special Sessions: Sub-Regional financing model and Commercial banks’ innovations for MSMEs.
• Sustainability Session: Aligning Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy with MSME engagement and values-based practices.

Day 4: Thursday, 26 June 2025

• Innovation Focus: Presentations by Nigeria’s tech agencies, and panel on incubation and acceleration hubs.
• Masterclasses: Delivered by Afreximbank and Silicon Overdrive.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Presentation on how MSMEs can integrate into SEZs for local economic benefit.
• Pitch Event: Entrepreneurs showcase their businesses to potential investors and partners.

Day 5: Friday, 27 June 2025 – International MSME Day

• Nigeria National MSME Awards: Awards ceremony, grant announcements, stock taking of the, and formal closing remarks of the Forum.

Objective:

The 4th AU MSME Forum is designed to bring together policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, and entrepreneurs to assess the current state of MSMEs in Africa, share practical strategies for improving access to finance, market opportunities, and digital tools, and align national and continental policies for MSME development. The Forum also aims to support women and youth-led enterprises, promote regional integration through AfCFTA, and highlight models for scaling affordable financing and improving the business environment for MSMEs.

Specific Objective:

• Promote digital transformation by enhancing MSMEs' capacity to leverage digital technologies for operational efficiency, market reach, and competitiveness.
• Improve market access by facilitating MSMEs' entry into intra-African and global markets through frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),
• Supports sustainable development by empowering MSMEs to drive economic growth and job creation, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship to foster a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Expected Outcomes:

• MSMEs are expected to gain practical knowledge and skills in digital technologies, enabling them to improve their operational efficiency and market reach.
• To provide evidence-based solutions on how entrepreneurs can access funding among other barriers.
• To showcase investment-ready SMEs to the African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

For more information about the Forum

Bulelwa Nkosi | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail: nkosib@africa-union.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Media Contact

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

Ms. Meaza Tezera | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail Meazat@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia