When you share a story that tells of daily human experiences, you create a memory that resonates for life!
This was how we rolled in yesterday's symposium on demystifying Business Policies that enhances the productivity and growth of African Entrepreneurs as part of TAAS Africa Economic Advancement Series.
In Nigeria for instance, SMEs (over 41M of them as at the last count) accounts for 48% of the National GDP, 96% of Businesses, 84% of employment and a yet a paltry 6% of gross Export!
Beyond the fierce urgency of revamping the entire Ease of Doing Business and Trade Facilitation Value Chain Mechanism in the Country and across Africa, all hands must be on deck as we set out on the mission of mainstreaming African Businesses and Entrepreneurs into the AfCFTA Implementation Strategiesto unlock vistas of growth opportunities and potentials; giving them the ability to scale into new Market frontiers provided for in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Let's move forward by consolidating on the business relationship that were established yesterday. Together we are stronger!
To the entire Team, the Continental President & Founder, Just Omomo Ibe andthe quintessential COO, Abiola Odesanya, Africa celebrate you today and always for your commitment to making Africa great again through the TAAS Solution and impact!
On February 6th, we launched the inaugural episode of our series "My Business and I," focusing on the theme: "Japa or Build a Thriving Business in Nigeria." We were privileged to host a diverse audience comprising #entrepreneurs and #career professionals eager to explore this critical topic.
🙇Our distinguished speaker, Faith Adams, delivered a compelling discourse on the concept of "Japa," elucidating the #opportunities available abroad in countries such as the #UK, #US, and #Dubai, as well as the potential for expanding businesses across Africa, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area ( #afcfta ).
💵Furthermore, our discussion delved into the intricacies of building a successful enterprise within #Nigeria, emphasizing strategies for navigating challenges and transforming obstacles into opportunities. We underscored the importance of #entrepreneurial integrity, distinguishing true #entrepreneurs from mere opportunists motivated solely by monetary gain. Throughout the session, we examined various emerging #business prospects within Nigeria and highlighted existing avenues for entrepreneurial engagement. Additionally, we explored the opportunities present in the #Nigerianmarket for #foreigninvestors to explore.
👌The engagement was vibrant, with our audience actively participating through insightful questions and discussions. We addressed the prevalent challenges encountered by entrepreneurs in Nigeria, fostering a constructive dialogue aimed at fostering innovative solutions.
👍Stay tuned for updates on our next episode of "My Business and I," as we continue to delve into pertinent topics influencing the investment and entrepreneurial world.
CEO Amaa | Co-Founder, Innovative Village | Pan African 🇳🇬🇰🇪🇿🇦🇪🇬 | Building Africa's #no1 tech-driven mentorship platform for entrepreneurs | Convener, Africa SME Assembly | Empowering entrepreneurs in Africa
The Official Report from the Africa SME Assembly will be ready on Monday morning
But before then, here are a few metrics from the report;
1. We had a total registration of 2077 businesses from a total of 16 African countries
2. On the day of the Assembly, we had 467 attendees, including our speakers. The number would have been more as most would have joined virtually
3. From the registration, we had 67% female entrepreneurs and 33% male
4. We had 60% entrepreneurs between the ages 18 - 35 years old
5. The major pain points of these entrepreneurs are access to finance and their inability to access credible networks
6. 408 people have registered for the SME Accelerators Program - A post-event activity to incubate SMEs. It kicks off in May 2024
We would be working with organizations and individuals for the Accelerator program. They include Sebastien CELESTINE, Ajibola Jinadu, Dr. Faith N., Tanya KabuyaBill Huston, Michael Frisk, Mr. Vincent Edigin of GreenBii, Omotola Dorcas, Wofai Samuel, and the Nigeria America Chambers of Commerce, Mr Obafemi Darabidan MCIB and many other
To us, the journey just started, and the Assembly was just the beginning
Watch out for the whole, detailed report by Monday
🌟 Kacita Organization (Uganda) Partnership Spotlight 🌟
We are excited to highlight our strategic partnership with the Kacita Organization (Uganda), a renowned business support association dedicated to facilitating trade and uniting the business community across Uganda.
About Kacita Organization (Uganda)
📅 Established and registered in 2001, and re-registered in 2009 as KACITA – Uganda to cover the entire country, the Kacita Organization's primary aim is to create a viable, organized, and socially sustainable marketplace. They are committed to bringing together the business community and mobilizing them for growth and success.
Kacita Organization is driven by the vision of fostering economic growth and supporting businesses in Uganda:
🤝 Trade Facilitation: Working together to streamline trade processes, reduce barriers, and promote efficient business operations.
🌐 Business Community Engagement: Organizing events, workshops, and networking opportunities to bring together business leaders and entrepreneurs, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
🏗️ Market Development: Initiating projects that enhance market access, improve infrastructure, and support local businesses in expanding their reach.
📈 Capacity Building: Providing training and resources to equip business owners and entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
Through this partnership, Bilow Capital and Kacita aim to leverage their collective expertise and resources to empower entrepreneurs, foster innovation, and create sustainable economic growth in Africa. By working together, we are committed to building a more inclusive and prosperous future for the African community.
Learn more about the Kacita Organization : https://kacita.co.ug/#TradeFacilitation#BusinessSupport#EconomicGrowth#KacitaUganda#BilowCapital#Partnership#CommunityDevelopment#MarketAccess
🌍 Exciting Opportunity Alert! 🚀
Embark on a transformative journey with us! 🌐 Join the Ghana Trade Mission for a unique blend of business opportunities, cultural exchange, and economic growth. 🤝✨
Discover untapped markets in Ghana, connect with local entrepreneurs, and pave the way for meaningful partnerships. 🌱📈
Curious to learn more? Check out our comprehensive pitch deck to understand the incredible benefits of participating in the Ghana Trade Mission and tapping into the vibrant Ghanaian market.
Don't miss out on this extraordinary experience that promises to reshape your business! 🌟🌐
#TradeMissionGhana#BusinessOpportunities#CulturalExchange#EconomicGrowth#GhanaMarketInsights
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and Chams Media Limited have officially established a strategic #partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The ceremony, graced by KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto and Chams Media Limited Founder and Director Mr. Alex Chamwada, marks a significant milestone in their #collaboration, underscoring a joint #commitment to fostering #economic growth and pursuing shared objectives.
This alliance is poised to generate synergies that will propel both organizations to new heights, contributing to regional and overall #development. Dr. Erick Rutto expressed enthusiasm for the #collaboration, stating that the #partnership with Chams Media Limited aims to leverage their combined strengths to create #opportunities, boost exports, establish market linkages, drive #innovation, and support the business community. Aligned with KNCCI’s mission, Chams Media Limited's expertise in media and communications will amplify initiatives focused on #entrepreneurship, trade, and #investment.
Mr. Chamwada highlighted the privilege of collaborating with #KNCCI, emphasizing the power of media to contribute to the economic development of Kenya. The MOU solidifies their commitment to work together, pooling resources and leveraging #networks for a conducive #business environment. As the #partnership unfolds, both organizations are poised to make meaningful contributions to the economic landscape, exemplifying a spirit of #collaboration and shared goals.
#partnership#chamsmedia#hakunamatatamedia
Kenyan investors out to profit from Tanzania's pro-business policies.
Kenyan investors are gearing up to double their presence in Tanzania, leveraging the neighboring country's welcoming business environment and promising growth prospects. At the Kenya Diaspora Forum 2024 in Dar es Salaam, participants outlined a strategy to boost Kenyan investments from the current 500 companies to 1,000 in the coming years.
The Forum was held under the theme, "Forging networks and harnessing the full potential of the Kenya Diaspora in Tanzania".
Highlighting Tanzania's pro-business policies as a key attraction, these investors aim to bring new Kenyan entrepreneurs to Tanzania and encourage existing businesses to expand their operations. With Tanzania's housing investments worth approximately $2 billion from Kenya, this is set to deepen economic ties between the two nations, enhance trade, and create job opportunities.
The Forum also sensitized Kenyans on the systems put in place by the Government to protect the diaspora & provide valuable information on investment opportunities.
Both countries stand as significant trade partners for each other, showcasing a strong regional partnership that benefits from the diverse skills and contributions of the diaspora community.
#KenyanInvestment#TanzaniaGrowth#EconomicPartnership#DiasporaDevelopment#BusinessExpansion
Helping individuals and organisations achieve results, delivering agile and transformative solutions, spearheading innovation, and cultivating collaborative excellence for lasting impact.
It was truly an honor to have been a panelist at this webinar.
Here’s a summary of 5 things I shared at the Bridging the Gap Webinar: Policy and Entrepreneurship in Africa that could be useful to policy makers supporting entrepreneurs and driving job creation on the continent.
——
1. See Policy as a Product: Policies should serve a purpose, providing solutions to problems. Like great products, policies should be designed based on continuous data gathering and insights. For example, if we want to reduce unemployment through job creation, we need policies that meet the needs of entrepreneurs at different stages. One such policy could be to establish mentorship programs that connect experienced entrepreneurs with startups, based on the success of similar programs in other regions or providing capital to entrepreneurs focused on specific high-growth industries.
2. Policies have to be SMART: They must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. For instance, IOWA grew its economy by focusing on specific agricultural industries like maize, providing financing to innovators and farmers in this industry within a specific timeframe. If we wanted to reduce unemployment by providing technology talent solutions, we could implement specific policies that mandate that every building must have internet access and reduce right of way charges by a certain percent within one year.
3. Start with Available Resources: While resources are needed for policy implementation, they should not be a deterrent. Forging partnerships with the private sector and finance institutions, or delegating implementation to the private sector while policymakers focus on oversight, accountability, and transparency, could optimize resource utilization. Also, finding low cost impact areas could help optimize resources. For example, rather than build new tech cities, existing hubs could be rebuilt and made smart.
4. Regulation Could Enable Innovation: Innovation often precedes regulation, but to accelerate development, we need all hands on deck. Through policy, policymakers can challenge innovation and entrepreneurship that leads to rapid economic development. For instance, a policy that banned the importation of mosquito nets would force local manufacturing and support entrepreneurship along the value chain of mosquito net production.
5. Policy Making Guided by Principles/Values: Policy should promote equal access regardless of geography, demography, religion, socioeconomic status, or gender. Policies should be adaptive to different contexts rather than copied and pasted. They should be impactful, sustainable, and co-created through stakeholder engagement, enabling rather than stifling entrepreneurship. Speed is essential, as the continent is in an emergency crisis.
Join DigitA and GEC+Africa for a FREE webinar on bridging the gap between policy and entrepreneurship in Africa! Gain valuable insights and connect with key players.
Speakers include Ms Adaeze Sokan, the Digital Economy Programe Lead at Mastercard Foundation, Mr Tim G., the Director of Advisory at i4Policy, and Ms Matsi Modise, the Vice Chairperson at SiMODiSA Association. The webinar will be moderated by Ms Yewande Adewusi, the Chief Operating Officer at Alitheia Capital
🗓️ March 7, 2024
⏰ 12:00 SAST | 11:00 WAT | 10:00 GMT
🔗 https://lnkd.in/e47jsfCK
Don't miss this engaging session designed for entrepreneurs and policymakers alike!
#GECAfrica2024
Studied at Makerere University Kampala
4moWould like to join your team.