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EXPORT STRATEGY

AfCFTA plans its first business forum for Cape Town in early March

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.

Export Strategy

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.

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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.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.