Monrovia, Liberia — The Regional Vice President (West Africa) of the All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME), Mr. Justice Ofori-Elikem, has commended the organisers and participants of the 7th Edition of Prosperity Africa (PA7), describing the gathering as an important platform for advancing intra-African trade, business networking and economic cooperation.
The event, held from October 20–22, 2026, in Monrovia, Liberia, was convened by the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), alongside the Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC) and the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI).
The gathering brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, chambers of commerce, development institutions and other stakeholders to explore practical opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
AAASME Applauds SME Participation and Cross-Border Networking
Reacting to the event and its outcomes, Mr. Ofori-Elikem expressed satisfaction with the level of attendance and active participation, particularly the enthusiasm demonstrated by Liberian small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to establish business relationships beyond their national borders.
He noted that the willingness of Liberian entrepreneurs to connect with their counterparts from other African countries reflected the growing recognition of regional collaboration as an important driver of SME development.
The Regional Vice President particularly welcomed the networking and trading opportunities provided during the event, emphasising their potential to create new commercial relationships, strengthen market access and encourage partnerships among African businesses.
His remarks align with AAASME’s broader commitment to promoting an interconnected African SME ecosystem in which enterprises can leverage continental networks to expand their operations and participate meaningfully in regional trade.
Ofori-Elikem Commends Judson Wendell Addy for Facilitating Strategic Engagements
Mr. Ofori-Elikem also praised Mr. Judson Wendell Addy, Chairman Emeritus of the Africa Private Sector Summit, for his keynote statement and contributions towards facilitating important institutional engagements during the event.
He acknowledged Mr. Addy’s role in opening channels of communication between AAASME and critical stakeholders in Liberia, describing these engagements as valuable opportunities for strengthening the association’s presence and partnerships within the West African business community.
The development is expected to provide a foundation for further dialogue and potential cooperation between AAASME and relevant Liberian institutions, particularly in areas relating to SME empowerment, investment facilitation and regional market integration.
Prosperity Africa 2026 Declaration Calls for Practical Implementation of AfCFTA
The event concluded with the adoption of the Monrovia Declaration, issued by PACCI on October 22, 2026, outlining recommendations for making the AfCFTA more accessible and beneficial to African enterprises.
The declaration emphasised the need to move beyond policy discussions towards practical business transactions, stronger institutional partnerships and measurable commercial outcomes.
According to the declaration, 39 Liberian businesses were mobilised and 196 commercial profiles prepared ahead of the event to facilitate targeted business connections.
PACCI also outlined plans to follow up with participating businesses at 30, 90 and 120 days after the event to assess partnerships established, meetings conducted and transactions concluded.
Other major priorities highlighted in the declaration included improving access to trade finance, strengthening regional value chains, simplifying cross-border trading procedures, harmonising product standards and expanding opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The declaration further recognised AAASME among the participating institutions whose contributions and perspectives informed the discussions.
These recommendations reinforce the importance of ensuring that African SMEs are not merely observers of continental economic integration but active participants and beneficiaries of its opportunities.
AAASME Seeks Deeper Strategic Cooperation with PACCI and Liberian Stakeholders
Building on the outcomes of Prosperity Africa 2026, AAASME has expressed its readiness to advance its guiding principles of collaboration, cooperation and coordination in engagements with Liberian stakeholders.
Mr. Ofori-Elikem indicated that the association had taken note of the presentations and recommendations made during the event and would explore opportunities to translate these discussions into meaningful institutional relationships and practical SME development initiatives.
Of particular importance is AAASME’s intention to deepen bilateral engagement and strengthen its strategic relationship with Mr. Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director of PACCI, towards advancing shared objectives for African private-sector development.
The proposed engagements are expected to focus on opportunities for institutional cooperation, business networking, trade facilitation and improved participation of African SMEs in continental markets.
Advancing a More Connected African SME Ecosystem
As African countries continue efforts to implement the AfCFTA, Prosperity Africa 2026 has reinforced the importance of placing small and medium-sized enterprises at the centre of the continent’s economic integration agenda.
For AAASME, the Monrovia gathering represents another opportunity to strengthen relationships with regional institutions, expand its engagement with the Liberian SME community and support initiatives that promote sustainable intra-African trade.
Through continued collaboration with PACCI, chambers of commerce and other strategic stakeholders, the association seeks to contribute to an African business environment where SMEs can access markets, establish partnerships and participate more effectively in continental economic opportunities.
The association’s renewed commitment following the event underscores its determination to promote practical partnerships that translate continental trade ambitions into tangible benefits for African entrepreneurs.
Source:
- Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI)
- Declaration of the 7th Edition of Prosperity Africa (PA7)
