
Lindsey Rayner appointed Managing Director of marketing agency Levergy
She brings extensive experience as a senior agency executive and has a particular interest in sports sponsorship and passion-led marketing
EXPORT STRATEGY
By our News Team | 2023
Among its aims is to create awareness among the African business community of business and investment opportunities in the free trade area.
African businesses and marketers have long harboured hopes that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will be the silver bullet that provides borderless and bureaucracy-free access to hundreds of millions of pan-African consumers.
Up until recently, however, AfCFTA has seemed to exist more as a theoretical exercise than on-the-ground reality. But now there are moves afoot to bring the potential benefits closer to fruition.
AfCFTA aims to create a single continental market with a combined GDP of approximately US$3.4-trillion. Photo credit: Hansueli Krapf via Wikimedia Commons
As part of this process, AfCFTA has organised the first Tujenge Pamoja Africa Business Forum, which is slated for 8-10 March this year in Cape Town, South Africa. In Swahili, ‘Pamoja Tujenge’ means ‘Let’s build together’.
The primary aims of the forum include creating awareness among the African business community of current business and investment opportunities offered in the free trade area, particularly priority value chains.
Similarly, to provide a space for governments, businesses and investors to engage and unlock trade and investment funding.
A number of key industry sectors
The industry sectors that are a key focus include agro-processing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, transportation and logistics, and digital trade.
“The forum will also focus on advocating for supportive policies and investment for priority AfCFTA value chains,” reads a media statement.
“It aims to have a One Trade House Marketplace [with] announcements, signings, investment pitches, and partner booths for perfect integration.
“Additionally, [the forum will] promote a business-friendly environment for SMEs, women, and youth.”
According to the AfCFTA Secretariat, it “seeks broad participation from Africa’s public and private sectors, as well as strategic investors from focus value chains – including heads of government, private sector leaders, financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, regional economic communities (RECs), business councils, chambers of commerce, leading African women business organisations, multinationals, academia, regional media and AfCFTA partners”.
The overall mandate of the AfCFTA is to create a single continental market with a population of about 1.3-billion people and a combined GDP of approximately US$3.4-trillion.
She brings extensive experience as a senior agency executive and has a particular interest in sports sponsorship and passion-led marketing
Why attention is the ultimate currency in a world of endless distractions – and how to make it work for your brand.
Africa is changing rapidly, so the continent’s marketers must work to shape trends and not merely react to them, Addis Ababa event hears.
New business offering to be steered by senior executives in four regions and will provide high-level support to clients.
Rising demand in key European markets for specialty grade beans that are ethically sourced could boost Zim’s coffee industry.
Study examines emergence of virtual representations of individuals, which are blurring the lines between physical and digital identities.
Ogilvy presented a “unique partner model” during an 11-month pitch process involving 15-plus agencies and multiple rounds of presentations.
Nigeria reportedly has less than 4% of its cold chain capacity requirement. Much of Africa faces a similar challenge.
The latest issue of Strategic Marketing for Africa, the magazine for deep-thinking African marketing professionals, is now available.
As African commercial aviation expands, Marketing 5.0 has a vital role to play in enhancing operational efficiencies and customer service.
Researchers find that the location of sales interactions may be just as important as crafting a clever sales pitch.
Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.
Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.
Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.