Entrepreneurs who recently participated in the Intra African Trade Fair 2023 (IATF 2023) held in Cairo, Egypt, have expressed appreciation for the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA)'s commitment to developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
The fair, organized by the African Export-Import Bank in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCTFA Secretariat, brought together businesses from across the continent under the theme “Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA.”
Approximately 70 Ghanaian SMEs attended the event, showcasing their products and networking with other businesses.
The fair, which took place from November 9 to 15, 2023, attracted heads of state, former leaders, senior government officials, and businesses from Africa and around the world.
Mrs. Jaqueline Ruby Sackitey, Managing Director of JACQUIS, a manufacturer of Jacquis Peanut Butter, praised GEPA for creating opportunities for SMEs to exhibit their entrepreneurial skills and capacity on a global stage. She emphasized the need for SMEs to establish the right local partnerships to enhance production for the global market.
“Jacquis Peanut Butter, one of Ghana's quality hand-picked peanut butter, is certified by the Food and Drugs Authority, and it is currently lining the shelves of major supermarket shelves in the country,” Mrs. Sackitey stated.
As the Vice President of the Africa Women's Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), Mrs. Sackitey underscored the importance of intra-African trade as a breakthrough point for small and medium enterprises.
She urged African governments and organizations to simplify the movement of goods on the continent, eliminate double certifications, and streamline documentation processes for goods and products transported across borders.
Intra-Africa trade currently represents only 14.4 percent of total African exports. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to significantly boost intra-African trade by 33 percent and reduce Africa's trade deficit by 51 percent.
The IATF provided a platform for trade and market information exchange, facilitating connections between buyers and sellers from various African countries.
The event featured trade and investment forums, high-level dialogues on medium-sized enterprises, discussions on the implementation and domestication of the African Commodity Strategy, and an African Automotive Forum.
The Ghanaian entrepreneurs who participated in the fair expressed optimism about the potential for increased trade partnerships and opportunities for SMEs in the wake of the AfCFTA's implementation.
They called for sustained support from governmental and organizational bodies to further develop the capabilities of SMEs in Ghana and across Africa.