Leading trade and investment consultancy firm, Compass Global Business Services, has concluded the second edition of its West Africa Meets East Africa Trade (WAMEA) mission and business development tour.
Tour in Kenya and Tanzania as a dual-country undertaking, following its successful inaugural edition hosted by Kenya in 2023 in partnership with the Africa Export Import Bank and the ECOWAS Commission, aimed to unlock the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunities for women and youth by leveraging regional value chains and fostering business linkages.
The highlights of the tour were deal room activations, market visits, B2B meetings, and exhibitions. SMEs, Women &Youth Entrepreneurs from West Africa and East Africa received training on Negotiations Strategy and Deal Making in view of the AfCFTA opportunity.
The event also offered participants access to matchmaking with regional players and key contacts.
Speaking on the primary goal of the tour, Mrs Tokunbo Chiedu, CEO Compass Global/ Convener West Meets East, said: “Our primary goal is to empower SMEs to take advantage of AfCFTA and $22 billion intra-African trade, and to provide guidance to SMEs in navigating exports and trade, focusing on AfCFTA. This Initiative continues to offer support, facilitate connections to new markets, and helps SMEs to establish business partnerships to expand their economic potential.”
“So far through our 2024 programmes, working with key actors, and strategic partners Compass Global has organized regional events and programs for 600+ SMEs in 4 Countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania to prepare SMEs for Market Access. Over 1000 SMEs, Women, and Youths in Trade across 22 Countries have benefited since 2022,” she added.
She commended Afreximbank for its consistent sponsorship, acknowledging its crucial role in supporting the trade mission’s primary aim – exposing participants to regional value chain prospects through deal activations, networking, and establishing vital connections for market access.
Strategic partners, such as the Association of Nigeria Women Business Network and the Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, played a vital role in mobilising key associations, women business networks, and SMEs to actively engage in the deal room activities. The efforts of AWEP West Africa President Mrs. Comfort Adjahoe-Jennings, who led a team of SME exporters and youth entrepreneurs supported by CAMFED, were also noteworthy.
Other critical players acknowledged for their contributions included the East Africa Business Council, the East Africa Women in Business Platform, and leading business networks such as the SME Founders Association, OWIT Kenya, and WeConnect.
Building upon the successful outcomes of the 2nd edition, the company aims to further advance its impact. As a private sector – led endeavor, Mrs. Chiedu underscored the significance of sustaining the work and the crucial role of Compass Global’s strategic partnerships. These partnerships are founded on a multi-agency and collaborative framework with the Organized Private Sector, Business networks, and trade associations. It is through these alliances that successful outcomes have been achieved for the West Africa Meets East Africa initiative.
Mrs. Chiedu was, therefore, excited about the prospects and what lies ahead, whilst expressing Compass Global’s dedication to expanding this initiative in 2025 to encompass additional sub-regions such as Central Africa, North Africa, and South Africa.
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