White Logo of African Union on the website of the African Union MSME Forum
Namibia coat of arm on the website of the African Union MSME Forum

Apply for the Enterprise African Network Fellowship Programme.

The EAN Fellowship Programme is a collaborative, Africa-tailored capacity-building initiative enhancing small businesses’ and MSMEs’ export readiness. It focuses on adapting to Africa’s current economic climate. This cohort-based program offers:

  1. Twelve months of training courses
  2. Access to mentors with diverse skills
  3. Support to supply the AfCFTA Market and beyond

The program starts alongside the African Union MSME Forum this year.

Deadline: 26th July, 2024

Apply Now

About MSME Forum 2024

The MSME Forum has three objectives:

1. Enhance small businesses’ capacity through training sessions on various topics, led by training partners.

2. Foster a platform for policymakers and the private sector to:
– Share knowledge
– Formulate innovative proposals
– Bridge the financial gap for small businesses and start-ups in Africa

3. Facilitate collaboration between:
– Private and public sector institutions
– Financial institutions
– Support small businesses regionally and continentally

Priority Sectors for EAN Fellowship Programme

With Africa’s vast mineral resources, we’re striving for an industrialized continent. Here, electric vehicles, smartphones, and cutting-edge technologies will be more accessible and sustainably produced.

Moreover, exploration and processing will occur within Africa itself.This future we’re building relies heavily on small businesses (MSMEs).

These innovative companies play a crucial role in the sector.

1: Firstly, they contribute significantly to industrialization.

2: Secondly, they support the global transition to clean energy.

3: Additionally, they enhance the diversity and resilience of critical mineral supply chains.

By participating in the MSME Forum, you’ll gain valuable opportunities. For instance, you’ll access a unique platform that connects mineral exploration experts, artisanal miners, and other key industry players.

Furthermore, you’ll explore new prospects, share best practices, and collaborate on groundbreaking projects. Ultimately, these efforts will shape our planet’s future.

The MSME Forum recognizes Africa’s creative industry’s potential.
This sector is driven by three key factors: a growing youth population, increasing urbanization, and a rising middle class with evolving consumption patterns.
The creative industry encompasses diverse activities.
1. Firstly, it includes traditional cultural expressions like arts, crafts, and celebrations.
2. Secondly, it covers visual arts such as paintings, sculptures, and antiques.
3. Additionally, it involves design fields like fashion and jewelry.
4. Lastly, it encompasses creative services, including architecture, advertising, and cultural activities.
Investing in these creative industries offers numerous benefits. For instance, it can drive sustainable economic opportunities and improve local communities’ livelihoods. Moreover, it expands business prospects for small enterprises. Consequently, this investment contributes to the growth of related sectors, particularly tourism and manufacturing.
By focusing on design, creative services, visual arts, and crafts, we can unlock the full potential of Africa’s creative economy.

The African Union MSME Forum recognizes the crucial role of small-scale farmers and agricultural businesses in Africa’s food security.

Indeed, these small businesses are the backbone of the continent’s food systems, cultivating about 80% of Africa’s food.

The MSME Forum offers several key opportunities for agricultural SMEs:

  1. Scaling up impact: Participants can learn strategies to enhance small-scale farmer resilience. This includes access to training sessions on various topics offered by partners, which can help improve farming practices and productivity
  2. Business model innovation: The forum provides a platform to explore innovative solutions and adapt to crises. This is particularly relevant given the changing economic landscape and the need for sustainable development.
  3. Developing sustainable solutions: Attendees can collaborate on groundbreaking projects focused on better nutrition and sustainability. This aligns with the AU’s goal of increasing food production and accessibility across the continent.
  4. Accessing opportunities: The forum facilitates connections between rural and urban farmers, as well as other key industry players. This networking can lead to new partnerships and market access.
  5. Policy engagement: Participants can interact with policymakers to help shape innovative proposals for bridging the financial gap for agricultural MSMEs.

By participating in the MSME Forum, agricultural small businesses can gain valuable insights, connections, and resources to unlock their potential and contribute significantly to Africa’s food security. This aligns with the African Union’s broader goals of sustainable development and economic growth through agriculture.

Industrialization offers great potential for Africa’s economic growth and improved livelihoods.
Key sectors include:
  1. Pharmaceuticals and vaccines
  2. Medical and chemical products
  3. Automotive industry
  4. Processing industries (leather, cocoa, shea butter, soya)

By focusing on these areas, Africa can create sustainable opportunities and reduce imports.

Manufacturing in Africa brings several benefits:

  1. Job creation: It provides employment across various skill levels. This ranges from factory work to research roles.
  2. Economic growth: Producing and exporting high-value goods boosts GDP. As a result, the overall economy expands.
  3. Technology transfer: Partnerships with international firms bring new knowledge. Additionally, investment in R&D introduces advanced technologies.
  4. Economic diversification: Developing multiple industries reduces risks. Consequently, economies become more stable.
  5. Enhanced value: Local processing adds worth to raw materials. Moreover, it creates opportunities for related industries.
The MSME Forum recognizes the ICT sector’s potential in driving growth and innovation.
It brings together key players to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Participants gain access to:
  1. Best practices sharing
  2. Emerging trends insights
  3. Innovative solutions
These benefits help companies stay competitive in the evolving ICT landscape.
The forum also offers:
  1. Product and service showcases
  2. Networking opportunities
  3. Market exploration
By leveraging collective expertise, ICT companies can: Accelerate growth, Enhance competitiveness, and Contribute to sector development.
Through these initiatives, the MSME Forum aims to boost the ICT industry’s impact on economic progress.
Apply Now

The AU MSME Forum empowers small businesses to thrive in regional and global markets by: Upskilling them to boost competitiveness; Integrating them into lucrative value chains; Leveraging the AfCFTA and continental trade opportunities.

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