Africa RISE panel discussion on technology for MSMEs at the EU-Africa Business Forum 2022

On the 15th of February 2022, the EU-funded Africa RISE programme  hosted an online panel discussion as part of the EU-Africa Business Forum 2022. The discussion, “Making technology work for MSMEs” focused on how technology can be applied to help ordinary small businesses, not just glamourous “high-tech” firms, to perform better, resulting in increased trade, more jobs, higher investment and better access to markets.

 

Mr Hans Stausboll, Head of Unit A2 from the European Commission’s DG INTPA, provided an overview of the European Commission’s strategy for increasing investment and employment across Africa, a main feature of which is the enabling role of digitalisation. The panellists then discussed the power of technology to improve access to markets for all businesses. Internet access and e-commerce are key tools that can help to consolidate fragmented local markets into larger regional markets, providing opportunities for small businesses across Africa to access a larger pool of potential customers. The panel also discussed the importance of ensuring that women and socially disadvantaged groups have access to digital tools and the necessary training to benefit from them. The discussion referred to some of the work undertaken by the Africa RISE programme in Eastern and Southern Africa to illustrate key points.

 

The four panellists were:

·             Ms Meshingo Jack of SmartBots with a presentation on Inclusive Digital Economy: Harnessing Digital to empower Women Entrepreneurs in Botswana.

·             Ms Stacey Susa-Pinto from the Namibia Trade Forum on the experience of digitalisation for Namibia.

·              Ms Yhesma Jankee-Chukoory from the WOWANTED platform for women entrepreneurs who discussed women entrepreneurs projects

·              Mr Paul Baker from International Economics Consulting on EU Support to establish a Single Regional Digital Market in the EAC.

 

The discussion was moderated by the Africa RISE Team Leader, Mr John Clifford.

 

The panel ended with an exchange between the panellists and the audience, during which several interesting points were made.

 

“What Africa needs is to adopt low-cost tech. in order to achieve a digitalized continent by 2030 (…) It is great to hear initiatives focused on women entrepreneurs."

 

“It can be done, as long as we as SMEs understand that there is still some education required around how to use these tools and how they can benefit women.”

 

“If you do not come from an environment where you have the social capital that can help you access and/or do well in the working environment, then it becomes harder to access the global digital economy especially”


 Launched in December 2020, Africa RISE is a demand-driven technical assistance facility funded by the European Union and valued at EUR 12.8 million. Africa RISE supports inclusive and sustainable growth, job creation and decent work and promotes macro-economic policy and regulatory reform to create a business environment that encourages investment. The programme will run until December 2024.

 The 7th EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF22) took place online and was co-organised by the European Commission and the African Union Commission, as well as EU and African business organisations. Twelve high-level panels and numerous online workshops provided insights into the key themes of EU-Africa business, trade and investment relations.