{"id":988732,"date":"2026-10-23T00:18:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T00:18:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aaasme.africa\/?p=988732"},"modified":"2026-10-30T13:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T13:46:45","slug":"africa-talks-business-investment-forum-2026-advancing-africas-economic-transformation-through-trade-investment-and-sme-empowerment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aaasme.africa\/fr\/africa-talks-business-investment-forum-2026-advancing-africas-economic-transformation-through-trade-investment-and-sme-empowerment\/","title":{"rendered":"Africa Talks Business & Investment Forum 2026 : Promouvoir la transformation \u00e9conomique de l\u2019Afrique gr\u00e2ce au commerce, \u00e0 l\u2019investissement et \u00e0 l\u2019autonomisation des PME"},"content":{"rendered":"
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | November 2026<\/p>\n

Africa’s journey towards economic prosperity requires more than ambitious policies. It demands strategic partnerships, innovative financing, stronger businesses, and collective action.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this vision is the Africa Talks Business & Investment Forum (ATBIF<\/a>)<\/strong>, a Pan-African platform dedicated to strengthening trade, attracting investment, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and accelerating economic integration across the continent.<\/p>\n

As preparations gather momentum for the 2026 edition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ATBIF<\/strong> presents another opportunity for African entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and development partners to collaborate in shaping a more prosperous and economically resilient Africa.<\/p>\n

\"AAASME<\/p>\n

About the Africa Talks Business & Investment Forum<\/strong><\/h2>\n

ATBIF is the business and investment component of Africa Celebrates<\/strong><\/a>, a continental initiative that brings together culture, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic cooperation.<\/p>\n

The forum provides a platform for African business leaders, SMEs, startups, investors, government representatives, and development institutions to explore investment opportunities, establish strategic partnerships, and address barriers to sustainable business growth.<\/p>\n

Central to its mission is the recognition that Africa’s economic transformation must be driven by African enterprise, innovation, investment, and collaboration.<\/p>\n

Through discussions on financing, intra-African trade, industrialisation, technology, and sustainable development, ATBIF<\/strong> contributes to the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)<\/strong><\/a>, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Dr<\/p>\n

ATBIF 2025: Building Momentum for African-Led Prosperity<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The 2025 edition, held from November 6\u20137 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was organised in collaboration with the Association africaine de petites et moyennes entreprises (AAASME)<\/strong><\/a> under the theme:<\/p>\n

\u201cRe-imagining Africa’s Business and Investment Landscape \u2013 Actioning Opportunities for Shared Economic Prosperity.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hosted at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)<\/strong><\/a> and the African Union Headquarters, the forum brought together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to examine practical approaches to the continent’s economic development.<\/p>\n

Discussions focused on expanding SME access to finance, strengthening intra-African trade, advancing sustainable industrialisation, encouraging technology-driven entrepreneurship, and promoting equitable investment partnerships.<\/p>\n

A major takeaway was the need to place African businesses, particularly SMEs, at the centre of the continent’s economic transformation.<\/p>\n

\"AAASME<\/p>\n

AAASME’s Contributions to ATBIF 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n

AAASME’s participation in ATBIF 2025 reinforced its commitment to promoting African entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and private-sector development.<\/p>\n

Two significant milestones highlighted the association’s involvement.<\/p>\n

Advancing the Africa Private Sector Bill of Rights<\/strong><\/h3>\n

AAASME signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS)<\/strong><\/a> to advance the Africa Private Sector Bill of Rights.<\/p>\n

The agreement seeks to strengthen advocacy for a more transparent, predictable, and business-friendly regulatory environment, ensuring that African SMEs can participate meaningfully in the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.<\/p>\n

\"Ubuntu<\/p>\n

Unveiling the Ubuntu Susu Continental SME Fund<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another defining moment was the unveiling and pre-launch of the Ubuntu Susu Continental SME Fund<\/a><\/strong>, an AAASME-led initiative targeting $1.4 billion to address financing challenges confronting African SMEs.<\/p>\n

Inspired by Africa’s traditional communal savings and contribution systems, Ubuntu Susu<\/strong><\/a> proposes an Afrocentric financing model built around collective participation, solidarity, and accessible capital.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the forum, AAASME President, Dr. Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri<\/strong><\/a>, emphasised the importance of African-led financial solutions capable of supporting businesses traditionally underserved by conventional financial institutions.<\/p>\n

The initiative reflects AAASME’s broader commitment to developing sustainable mechanisms for SME growth and economic empowerment across the continent.<\/p>\n

\"AFRICA<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead: ATBIF and Africa Celebrates 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Building on the momentum of previous editions, the Africa Talks Business & Investment Forum is expected to continue its role as a platform for meaningful business dialogue, investment engagement, and continental collaboration during Africa Celebrates 2026.<\/p>\n

The sixth edition of Africa Celebrates is scheduled to take place from November 10\u201315, 2026, at the African Union Headquarters and UNECA in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme:<\/p>\n

\u201cOne Africa, One People: Uniting Culture, Innovation and Enterprise for a Shared Prosperous Future.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The programme will feature business and trade forums, investment networking, exhibitions, innovation-focused discussions, and cultural showcases, bringing together participants from Africa and the global diaspora.<\/p>\n

Organised by Legendary Gold Limited in partnership with Afronova, Africa Celebrates 2026 aims to strengthen the connection between Africa’s cultural identity and its economic ambitions.<\/p>\n

While the broader event dates have been announced, the detailed ATBIF 2026 session schedule is yet to be separately confirmed.<\/p>\n

Why African SMEs and Investors Should Participate<\/strong><\/h2>\n

ATBIF offers an important opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, business associations, and development institutions seeking to contribute to Africa’s economic future.<\/p>\n

Participants can look forward to opportunities to:<\/p>\n

– Build strategic partnerships: Connect with business leaders, investors, policymakers, and institutions from across Africa.
\n– Explore investment opportunities: Discover emerging sectors, business ventures, and potential financing relationships.
\n– Expand market access: Engage with stakeholders working to unlock cross-border trade opportunities under the AfCFTA.
\n– Gain valuable insights: Participate in conversations on SME financing, innovation, sustainability, and economic development.
\n– Showcase African enterprise: Promote businesses, products, services, and innovative solutions to a wider continental audience.<\/p>\n

For African SMEs, participation offers a chance to build networks, exchange knowledge, and position their enterprises within Africa’s evolving economic landscape.<\/p>\n

\"UbuntuSusu<\/p>\n

Join Us in Addis Ababa for ATBIF 2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME) encourages African entrepreneurs, SMEs, investors, private-sector organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for participation in the upcoming forum.<\/p>\n

Africa’s economic transformation requires collective responsibility, stronger partnerships, and a shared commitment to turning opportunities into measurable progress.<\/p>\n

Be part of the conversations, connections, and collaborations shaping Africa’s business and investment future.<\/p>\n

UPCOMING EVENT<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Africa Celebrates 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

November 10\u201315, 2026<\/p>\n

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia<\/p>\n

For ATBIF-specific programme updates and participation information, visit the event platforms below.<\/p>\n