Driving Growth Through Collaboration and Investment
On the margins of the Afreximbank Annual Meetings and the World SME Day celebrations, the 4th Africa SME Roundtable convened at the Rotunda Auditorium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Nigeria. Organized by the African Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME), the event brought together policymakers, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and development partners to address the critical role of SMEs in driving Africa’s economic transformation.
The Roundtable opened with welcome remarks by AAASME’s Vice President (Southern Africa) and goodwill messages from dignitaries, followed by an overview from the AAASME President. Keynote contributions and fireside chats involving the Afreximbank, AfCFTA Secretariat, and AAASME Secretariat (East Africa Bureau) set the tone for discussions around regional integration, financing, and SME competitiveness.
A highlight of the event was the finance panel sessions, which featured the CEOs of NEXIM Bank, Ghana EXIM Bank, and the Bank of Industry, as well as the Director General/CEO of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Their deliberations underscored the urgent need for innovative financing instruments tailored to the unique realities of African SMEs.
Another major milestone was the MOU signing and unveiling of the Continental SME Fund—Ubuntu Susu, a bold financing initiative launched by AAASME in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Africa India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AICCI). The fund is designed to pool resources across the continent to support SME expansion, improve access to finance, and deepen intra-African trade.
The AfCFTA panel session featured the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat alongside industry leaders and experts, who explored opportunities for SMEs within Africa’s single market. This was complemented by the Continental Investment Panel, which spotlighted success stories, practical strategies, and collaborations essential for scaling African enterprises.
The event closed with formalities, a vote of thanks, and a symbolic family photograph, reinforcing the spirit of unity among Africa’s SME ecosystem.
As AAASME continues to champion platforms like the Africa SME Roundtable, the message is clear: SMEs are not just the backbone of Africa’s economy—they are its future.
Read more about the unveiling of the Continental SME Fund on Vanguard News.
