5TH PROSPERITY AFRICA SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTERS CONFERENCE

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 organized by the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and industry 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 Travel Lodge under the theme Benefiting from AFCFTA.

The 3-day conference will bring together private sector, particularly SMES operating in the continent’s marketplace, chamber leadership, government officials, development partners, and media to enhance trade and investment opportunities in Africa. The diverse agenda will provide a platform for policymakers, and industry experts to share insights on issues relating to SMME capacitation and development, and entrepreneurship capacities. Furthermore, participants will understand the policy options to benefit from the AFCFTA, which Botswana has ratified.

The main objectives are to:

a. Agree on measures to be taken to maximize potentials of SMES to increase export activities,

b. Agree on suitability of policies on investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy, and dispute settlement;

c. Support the development of SMES through inclusive market and value chain development; and

d. Introduce to SMES the pan-african payments and settlements system (AFREXIM BANK); AFCFTA Country Business Index (UNECA/ATPC), Gender Equality Seal Program(undp), and the African trade observatory (AUC and ITC).

Why Botswana?

Botswana like the rest of Africa intends to fully benefit from the African Free Continental Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) to achieve inclusive growth and socioeconomic development and therefore, is confident that the conference will greatly benefit the Botswana business community. 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.

The hybrid conference will bring together 150 in-person delegates and more than 400 virtual delegates from all over the continent. On the 19th of May 2022, business-tobusiness (B2B) meetings will be arranged to further explore joint partnerships and possible export opportunities.