The 2nd edition of the West African SME Fair opened on Thursday, November 21 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. This meeting brings together key players and partners in the ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to discuss their competitiveness and their crucial role in sub-regional economic integration from 21 to 23 next year

Basé sur le thème “améliorer la compétitivité grâce à l' innovation et à la durabilité”, l The West Africa SMEs Exhibition (West Africa SMEs) Exhibition) 2024 aims to promote and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ECOWAS region, by promoting their growth as well as their regional economic integration through strengthened cross-border trade. This event is organized by ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC), the ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with the Ministry in charge of Trade of the host country. In his speech, Dr. Yao Silvère Konan Director General for the Promotion of SMEs and Crafts, representing the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire, underlined the importance of SMEs, which represent nearly 98% of the formal economic fabric in Côte d'Ivoire, contributing 20% to GDP and 23% to employment of the working population.

A en croire le Dr. Moussa Élias Farakhan Diomandé, 1st Vice President of ESBC, the West Africa SME Show offers a platform dedicated to SMEs that allows them to present their products, create business opportunities, collaboration and partnership, and promote the “Made-inwest-Africa” products made in West Africa. This gathering offers opportunities for brand visibility, networking and partnerships for SMEs, while improving their reputation and brand image and making them aware of the regional business environment