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2 clusters · 7 sources · 14 days · First seen · Last updated

African SME support and AfCFTA implementation

Overview

Efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) have expanded through new regional and institutional initiatives.

In September 2026, the International Trade Centre and Access Bank established a three-year partnership to support SMEs across 14 African nations. This initiative focuses on job creation, digital capacity building, and access to finance, particularly for women- and youth-owned businesses. The program is set to begin with a pilot phase in Ghana before scaling to include countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Following this, in October 2026, the AfCFTA Secretariat launched the North Africa Regional Cohort of its SME Booster Programme in Tunis, Tunisia. This program targets enterprises in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Tunisia. It aims to transition AfCFTA policy into practical business operations by assisting companies with export readiness, product standards, and the management of customs and regulatory requirements.

Entities

Access Bank · African Continental Free Trade Area · Pamela Coke-Hamilton · United Nations · Tunisia

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    AfCFTA launches SME Booster Programme for North African businesses

    The AfCFTA Secretariat launched the SME Booster Programme in Tunis to help North African small businesses prepare for intra-African trade through training in export readiness, logistics, and digital trade.

  2. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    International Trade Centre and Access Bank partner to support African SMEs

    The International Trade Centre and Access Bank have partnered on a three-year initiative to boost SME financing, digital skills, and market access across 14 African countries.

Sources

businessincameroon.com · happyghana.com · myjoyonline.com · norvanreports.com · thehighstreetjournal.com · thevaultznews.com · uzalendonews.co.ke