Addis Ababa, The second edition of the annual African Union Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum will be held from the 4th-8th September 2023 in Addis Ababa, according to the African Union (AU).
The focus of the 2023 annual MSME forum on how MSMEs can promote African innovation and growth is a strategic move to support the implementation of the commitment from the 17th Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification, the press release added.
With MSMEs accounting for over 90 percent of total employment and 30 percent of exports in Africa, there is an undeniable need for comprehensive policies and strategies to support their growth.
According to the statement, the forum will also be key in facilitating knowledge exchange, strengthening policy frameworks, and building and strengthening cross-border collaboration.
The forum will bring together over 200 participants and key stakeholders from across the continent, it was learned.
Several key events will take place during the forum over the five days. These include,
training sessions, gala dinner and awards ceremony, as well as an exhibition, it was learned.
MSMEs are the backbone of the African economy, accounting for 80-90 percent of all businesses and providing employment for around 85 percent of the continent's workforce.
They are also the driving force behind innovation, playing a significant role in the development of new technologies, products, and services.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency