Tunisia is hosting a regional event from October 6 to 9, 2026, to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and structures that support and accompany institutions in North African countries. The event, organized by the General Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aims to accelerate the integration of African institutions into the continental market and promote intra-African trade. The event brings together over 150 participants, including owners of SMEs, particularly those led by women and young people, and organizations or structures that support and accompany institutions in North Africa.
The event is part of the SME Booster program, which seeks to address the challenges that hinder SMEs from benefiting from the opportunities available in the African market. These challenges include weak export readiness, lack of economic intelligence, high certification costs, limited access to trade finance, scattered supply chains, and limited mastery of the legal frameworks provided by the continental agreement. The event provides a platform for SMEs to learn about the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA, the legal, commercial, and digital mechanisms available, and the conditions for accessing markets and building business partnerships in Africa.
The choice of Tunisia to host the event for the North African region is part of a regional approach adopted by the General Secretariat of the AfCFTA, which has so far organized similar events in several regions representing the continent. The event is an opportunity to enhance the presence of SMEs in the continental free trade path and in African value chains, and to enable them to learn practically about the opportunities offered by the continental agreement. The event also aims to promote the participation of SMEs in the Biashara Afrika event, which will be organized by the General Secretariat of the AfCFTA in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Tunisia in 2027.
The event's program is based on a practical approach that goes beyond the general definition of the continental free trade agreement, towards developing the actual capacities of institutions and support structures to access the African market. During the event, participants will be trained in areas such as increasing mastery of the legal frameworks of the agreement and the mechanisms and platforms provided by the General Secretariat for accessing information and using them. The event will also focus on facilitating access to markets through networking and organized meetings between exporters, suppliers, distributors, and commercial companies.
The event will also address issues such as improving access to trade finance, logistics services, digital payment solutions, and export support services. Participants will also learn about assessing their export readiness and competitiveness to engage in value chains and high-priority sectors in North Africa. Additionally, the event aims to build the capacities of support structures in the field of export consulting, using economic intelligence tools, and focusing on digital trade and e-commerce.
The event is expected to promote regional trade in the region towards more export-ready African institutions. The SME Booster initiative seeks to address the challenges that hinder SMEs from benefiting from the opportunities available in the African market. The event is also an opportunity for Tunisia to strengthen its position as a space for economic dialogue and networking between economic actors in North Africa and the African continent as a whole.
The event is taking place at a time when Tunisia is preparing for upcoming regional and continental events, including the Biashara Afrika event, which will be organized in Tunisia in 2027. The event is expected to enhance Tunisia's position as a gateway to Africa and a hub between the North and South. The General Secretariat of the AfCFTA is working to promote the participation of SMEs in the continental free trade path and to support their integration into the African market.
Key points
- The event aims to enhance the presence of SMEs in the continental free trade path and in African value chains.
- The event provides a platform for SMEs to learn about the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA and the conditions for accessing markets and building business partnerships in Africa.
- The event seeks to address the challenges that hinder SMEs from benefiting from the opportunities available in the African market.
