Project Update: SME Training Module Three- Export To Africa

24-05-2024

Project Update: SME Training Module Three- Export To Africa

The third module of the SME training organized by Maastricht School of Management in collaboration with GNBCC took place last week on “Exporting to African Markets” in the project, “Upgrading business competences among SME entrepreneurs in Ghana’s horticultural and cocoa products value chains”.

Led by Dode Seidu of the Africa Trade Academy, the Exporting to African Markets 4-day training introduced participants to exporting as a way to engage in international businesses. The module presented the rationale for considering exports as a business growth strategy to address the risk of operating in limited markets. Participants were furthermore taken through frequent mistakes of exporters and how to overcome these challenges as well as the business model canvas for exporting businesses.

Navigating Africa’s trade landscape
Africa's integration is a slow but steady journey. The continent is divided into regional blocs, each with its own trade rules. Understanding these regional rules is a stepping stone to success in the larger African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA aims to boost trade across these blocs. Its rules are new and require mastering for businesses to benefit. Despite challenges, Africa presents vast opportunities. Its growing population offers a market businesses shouldn't miss.

The AfCFTA is just starting (as a free trade area). By understanding its rules and tools, particularly market access, tariffs, and customs processes, small and medium businesses (SMEs) can gain a first-mover advantage. This knowledge will be crucial for utilizing the AfCFTA effectively and was emphasized on during the training week.

An interactive teaching mix
The course was a combination of theory, discussion and individual assignments on how the participants can navigate their own companies best in the African trading field. The SME’s participating in this training are active in the horticultural and cocoa where they focus on among others making chocolate, producing vegetables and revolutionizing farming.

Also, individual coaching sessions were part of the course offering, which gave participants the opportunity to get more in detail regarding the needs of their business.

Up next
The Exporting to African Markets was the third module that followed upon the modules of Agribusiness Marketing and Value chain Analysis for Strategy. The fourth module will take place in July and focuses on upgrading and exporting to Europe.

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