MICROFINANCE EVENT: “Africa SME Champions Forum” Conference, November 11-12, 2014, Dakar, Senegal

Event Name: “Africa SME Champions Forum” Conference

Event Date: November 11 to November 12, 2014

Event Location: King Fahd Hotel, Dakar, Senegal

Participation: Owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa may apply to attend if their organizations comply with the following three criteria: (1) “a minimum of three years of legal existence;” (2) minimum annual turnover of USD 1.5 million; and (3) 10 or more people employed. Start-up companies with “high growth potential” and representatives of financial institutions, development institutions, chambers of commerce, “employers’ organizations,” consulting firms, law firms, information technology companies and government entities may also apply.

Summary of Event: This conference aims to facilitate the interaction of approximately 300 representatives of the African SME sector with financiers, government officials and consultants. The event will also offer presentations and discussions on topics including “financing tools,” “access to new markets,” “communication strategy,” “legal structure,” business organization, recruitment and information systems. The organizers will also aim to create a “mentoring program” between SMEs and large companies to facilitate knowledge transfer. Lastly, the conference will include an award ceremony and a reception.

Background on Organizers: The forum is a network of African SMEs that work together to promote their growth. The general commissioner of the forum is Didier Acouetey, the founder of AfricSearch, a recruitment agency based in South Africa that has operations in eight countries in three continents. The forum’s honorary president is Gervais Koffi Djondo, a former minister for Industry and Crown Corporations for the Republic of Togo.

Event Website: http://www.africa-smechampions.com/

For additional information, you may contact the conference organizers via email at info[at]africa-smechampions.com or by telephone at +33 1 53 76 02 89 or +33 6 20 93 38 64.

By Alíz Crowley, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources

Africa SME Champions Forum, http://www.africa-smechampions.com/

MicroCapital, July 17, 2014, 2015 Cracking the Nut Conference, “Expanding Rural & Agricultural Markets Amid Climate Change,” March 2-3, 2015, Lusaka, Zambia

MicroCapital, July 7, 2014, African Center for Peace Building to Host 2nd West African Microfinance Conference, July 23-24, 2014, Accra, Ghana

MicroCapital, May 1, 2014, Mobile Money and Digital Payments Africa Conference and Workshop, May 20-22, 2014, Johannesburg, South Africa

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