PROSPERITY AFRICA 2024
PROSPERITY AFRICA 2024 COMES TO ETHIOPIA Addis Ababa hosts the 6th Edition of Prosperity Africa at the Hilton Hotel. The 6th Edition of Prosperity Africa Chamber Business Conference, organised by the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), is set to take place at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 25-27 September 2024. The purpose of this biennial event is to provide small businesses with resources needed to reach new limits and to encourage success and growth. The Conference features keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities that allow businesses and other stakeholders to walk away with strategies and connections to help further their business. Addis Ababa is a fast-growing city. The headquarters of the AU are in Addis Ababa. Why participate? The conference provides a chance for businesses owned by women and young people to learn from and connect with resource providers, government representatives, corporate buyers and business professionals. Who is attending? The private sector, particularly SMEs operating in the continent’s marketplace, presidents of chambers, government officials, development partners and media. All participants are focussed on enhancing trade and investment opportunities in Africa. Where are we meeting? Addis Ababa is not only a vibrant, captivating capital city rich in history and cultural significance, it could also be called the political or diplomatic capital of the continent. The headquarters of the African Union or the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the regional offices of entities such as UNESCO are all located in “Addis”. The city has grown very quickly with rapid rates of urbanisation. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, you’ll meet the legendary Lucy, the famous hominid skeleton, and be sure to seek out the best Arabica coffee you can find. There is none better. PHOTOS: Kaleab on Unsplash | Solen Feyissa on Unsplash
PROSPERITY AFRICA Conference The Hybrid Conference will be held on 25-26 September 2024, with an optional one more day, the 27th, to visit exporting companies. General Tickets are $100 for Chamber members and 0 for nonmembers. It is envisioned that through knowledge exchange and learning among international participants involved in SME export trade and the sharing of innovations, this symposium will identify best practices and develop recommendations to eliminate bottlenecks and maximise the potential of SMEs for the achievement of the AfCFTA. Small Business Exporters The overall objectives of this conference are to: • Agree on measures to be taken to maximise the potential of SMEs to increase export activities • Agree on suitability of policies on investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy and dispute settlement • Support the development of SMEs through inclusive market and value chain development • Introduce applicability of Artificial Intelligence to SMEs, the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System (AFREXIMBANK), AfCFTA Country Business Index (UNECA/ATPC), the African Trade Observatory (ITC and AU) and more Expo The Expo will be organised by value-chain components such as logistics, packaging, business development services and warehousing, alongside critical sectors like textiles, agro-processing and pharmaceuticals. Representatives from each region will be present, facilitating business identification based on specific needs. The Expo Hall will also feature presentations of initiatives, tools, products and services, available both in-person and virtually post-event. A dedicated buyers’ area for B2B meetings will enhance business opportunities. Recap 2022 The 5th Edition of Prosperity Africa was held on 17-18 May 2022, with an additional optional day to visit exporting companies in Gaborone, Botswana. The discussions delved into ways to accelerate the use of the AfCFTA using tools such as the Africa Trade Observatory for market understanding, AfCFTA Country Business Index (UNECA/ATPC) and the Private Sector Gender Equality Seal Program (UNDP). The meeting identified the desired structural changes in policy, technology and investments to address various challenges limiting exports. 1
