The inaugural Prosperity Africa Conference was launched in 2012 to create a
dialogue and knowledge sharing platform on the pertinent issues experienced by
SMEs across Africa.

The 2022 fifth edition of the Prosperity Africa Conference edition on Small Business Exporters’ was organized by the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), the Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI), and Business Botswana , in close collaboration with UNECA Africa Trade Policy Centre (UNECA ATPC), United Nations Development Program – (UNDP), and Afrexim Bank in partnership with the African Union Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, International Trade Center (ITC), Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI) , Ecobank – Ethiopia , Initiative Africa, East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (EACCIA), and the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce, and Industry (FEWACCI).

The Russia – Ukraine war is still raging. At this stage it is too soon to measure the war’s full impact on Africa, it is clear that the repercussions will be multidimensional. For now, African countries that are heavily dependent on food and energy imports from Russia are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks as a result of the crisis. Additionally, rising fertilizer costs further compound these increasing food prices.

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According to the U.N., Russia is the highest exporter of nitrogen fertilizer and the second-highest exporter of phosphorous and potassium fertilizer globally. African countries that produce fuel and gas such as Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, and Tanzania should be benefiting from the resulting increase of prices. Given the elevated levels of socioeconomic stress following the COVID-19 crisis and unfolding impacts of climate change, the Russia – Ukraine war is enough to trigger collapse – debt distress, food shortages, domestic production costs increase or blackouts.

Africa’s Economy in a Snapshot (AfES) was produced by the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) with the aim of providing clear, relevant, and easy-to-digest information on the status of African economies, businesses, and the overall trade ecosystem. With the goal of being Africa’s leading guide to the business environment, AfES presents the most recent available business information compiled from highly respected publications. It is designed to reflect the annual performance of business and changes in the economy.

AfES is composed of individual country factsheets and grouped into five regions as recognized by the African Union. The factsheets will give highlight to the data collected on these countries and the more detailed tables will be in the annex for closer reading.

Why participate? 
The diverse agenda is an opportunity for SMEs to learn about the platforms that are facilitating trade under the AfCFTA and learn from fellow exporters drawing out best practices for Intra-African Trade. BUSINESS OPERATORS, grab a seat at the table! Contribute to the discussions with policymakers and industry experts to share insights on issues relating to SME capacitation and development, and entrepreneurship capacities. 

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Hybrid Format in English & French

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SELECTED BUSINESSES – SEE YOU SOON IN GABORONE!

Who is attending? 
The private sector, particularly SMEs operating in the continent’s marketplace, Presidents of Chambers, Government officials, Development Partners, and Media to enhance trade and investment opportunities in Africa.

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Where are we meeting? As our host from Business Botswana once said – The country built by Diamonds!

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The best way to find out is to experience it firsthand!  The economy of Botswana is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, averaging about 5% per annum over the past decade. Botswana’s impressive economic record has been built on a foundation of diamond mining, prudent fiscal policies, and a cautious foreign policy.
Venue: 
Read all about it!

The inaugural Prosperity Africa Small Business Exporters’ Conference was launched in 2012 to create a dialogue and knowledge sharing on pertinent issues experienced by SMMEs.

This year’s edition is organised by the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and industry (PACCI), Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI), and Business Botswana in collaboration with the African Union Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, African Business Council (AfBC), East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (EACCIA), Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce, and Industry (FEWACCI).

The conference will be held from May 17 – 19, 2022, at Travelodge under the theme Benefiting from
AfCFTA.

The (FREE TO ATTEND) Hybrid Conference will be held on 17- 18 May, with an optional one more day to visit exporting companies in Botswana.

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It is envisioned that through knowledge exchange and learning among international participants involved in SME export trade and the sharing of innovations, this symposium will identify best practices and develop recommendations to eliminate bottlenecks and maximize the potential of SMEs for the achievement of the AfCFTA.

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The overall objectives of this conference are to:

  1. Agree on measures to be taken to maximize potentials of SMEs to increase export activities,
  2. Agree on suitability of policies on investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy, and dispute settlement;
  3. Support the development of SMEs through inclusive market and value chain development; and
  4. Introduce to SMEs the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System (AFREXIMBANK); AfCFTA Country Business Index (UNECA/ATPC), Gender Equality Seal Program(UNDP), and the African Trade Observatory (ITC and AU).

Third and Fourth Edition’s Reports [ENG & FRN]

News

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AU urges leveraging continental free trade area towards silencing guns in Africa

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A senior official of the African Union (AU) has noted that leveraging the African continental free trade area (AfCFTA) contributes to silencing the guns in Africa, through the process of delivering broad-based prosperity on the continent. The…

How Emerging Markets Will Shape Africa in 2020 (WEF)

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In recent years, Sub-Saharan Africa has increasingly traded old friends, like the US and the European Union, for new ones in emerging markets. Since 2006, the region’s exports to the US have declined by 66%, while exports to countries…