On Thursday the 25th of February, 2021, the 3rd edition of the annual Strategic Leaders’ Summit discussed agribusinesses and SMEs’ future on the continent.

During the session, the summit empanelled experts in digital technology, banking, Academia, Tax regulation, and officials from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to discuss Agribusiness and SMEs’ future on the continent following the launch of the African Trade treaty- (AfCFTA).

Held virtually from the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, in compliance with COVID-19 preventive restriction and under the theme: Agribusiness, SMEs, and Digital Economy within AfCFTA,” the panellists highlighted a new Africa of milk and honey to the treaty.

Ms Jemila Abdel Vetah, the Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA, said there is no way the continent should continue seeking help elsewhere when it has abundant resources.

“The [trade] value chain has never been fair at all to Africa. This is something we are tackling through AfCFTA, the most comprehensive regulatory framework ever negotiated by Africans for Africa,” Ms Sedena said.

Ms Annette Kihuguru, the Acting Managing Director of Ecobank Uganda, one of the Summit sponsors, said now is the time for businesses to collaborate and intensify the use of technology in their operations. She pledged the bank’s support for SMEs seeking funding to enable them to realise their potential.

Ms Melisa Nyakwera, Head of Agribusiness at Stanbic Bank, another Summit sponsor, said the institution has a wide range of solutions for farmers they have already rolled out.

Stanbic Bank, she said, is offering affordable credit solutions, insurance products and using their wide networks to provide farmers access to new markets where they can get higher margins through digital marketing.

Dr Patrick Gyimah Awuah Jr, the founder and President of Ashesi University, a private, not-for-profit institution in Ghana, said intellectual property rights should be an incentive to encourage creativity and innovations in institutions of higher learning.

Just in case you missed out on the session, this link will help you catch up on the proceedings’ details. Enjoy it and share.

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