MEDIA ADVISORY

Webinar on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Development in Africa

Theme: “The Road towards a Continental Recovery Strategy for SMEs in the post-COVID-19 era”

What: The webinar on SMEs development in Africa. The goal is to adopt a continental recovery strategy for SMEs in the post-COVID-19 era, and have an expert opinion on the development of a competitive, diversified and sustainable economies underpinned by dynamic, entrepreneurial and industrial sectors that generate employment, reduce poverty and foster social inclusion.

When: Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Time: 14:00 – 16:00 (GMT+3)

Where: Zoom virtual Platform:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KhEp-hzRQkWh7PmK7uGF2Q

Who: The Industry Division of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the African Union Commission (AUC).

Objectives:

· To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on African SMEs, identifying the challenges they currently face and the potential solutions to be developed by the AU and partners to resolve them

· To engage with RECs, Member States and private sector on how to increase the engagement and participation of SMEs in intra-African trade ahead of the start of trading of the AfCFTA

· To discuss and chart a way forward regarding the support required to encourage domestication, advocacy and implementation of the AU SME Strategy

· To strategically discuss how to strengthen partnerships and agree on joint work plans for 2021 and beyond in the area of SME development

· To clarify the roles and responsibilities of Partners, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of MSME development initiatives on the continent.

For further information, please contact Mrs. Ron Osman Omar, Officer in Charge Industry Division, Department for Trade and Industry, Email: OmarR@africa-union.org

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Media Contact:

Patient Atcho |Communication | Directorate of Trade and Industry | Africa Union Commission |AtchoP@africa-union.org

Molalet Tsedeke| Directorate of Information and Communication | Africa Union Commission | molalett@africa-union.org

For further information please contact:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.africa I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube