Leading trade and investment consultancy, Compass Global Business Services, has successfully concluded the second edition of its West Africa Meets East Africa Trade Mission and Business Development Tour.
In a statement on Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Tokunbo Chiedu, highlighted that the dual-country initiative, spanning Kenya and Tanzania, aimed to unlock African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunities for women and youths by leveraging regional value chains and fostering business linkages.
Building upon the success of the inaugural edition hosted in Kenya in March 2023, this year’s programme, themed “Unlocking the AfCFTA Opportunity for Women and Youths,” focused on enhancing intra-African trade.
Organised by Compass Global with support from Afreximbank and the UNDP, the event was facilitated through strategic alliances with the AfCFTA Secretariat and FEWACCI.
Speaking on the initiative’s goals, Chiedu stated, “Our primary goal is to empower SMEs to take advantage of AfCFTA and the $22 billion intra-African trade potential.
“This initiative provides guidance on navigating exports and trade within the AfCFTA and helps SMEs establish business partnerships to expand their economic potential.
“Through our 2024 programs, Compass Global has organised regional events for over 600 SMEs across four countries, benefiting over 1,000 SMEs, women, and youth involved in trade across 22 countries since 2022.”
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She also commended Afreximbank for its consistent sponsorship, recognising its role in exposing participants to regional value chain prospects through deal activations, networking, and establishing market access connections.
Strategic partners such as the Association of Nigeria Women Business Network and the Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry were instrumental in mobilising associations, women business networks, and SMEs for deal room activities. The efforts of AWEP West Africa President, Mrs. Comfort Adjahoe-Jennings, who led SME exporters and youth entrepreneurs supported by CAMFED, were also acknowledged.
Other critical contributors include the East Africa Business Council, the East Africa Women in Business Platform, and prominent business networks like the SME Founders Association, OWIT Kenya, and WeConnect.
Looking ahead, Compass Global plans to expand this initiative in 2025 to include additional sub-regions such as Central Africa, North Africa, and South Africa. This expansion aims to leverage the company’s networks and affiliations with SMEs to enhance access to market intelligence and effectively promote Africa’s SMEs.
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