YAOUNDE, Cameroon — At the Trade + Sustainability Hub 2026, a pivotal discussion unfolded on the significance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in propelling Africa’s trade aspirations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Hosted by the Cameroon Economic Policy Institute (CEPI), the session “Unlocking SME Capacity to Accelerate AfCFTA Development Gains “gathered policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development partners.
The session underscored the central role of SMEs in Cameroon’s economic landscape, accounting for nearly 70% of the country’s economic activity.
However, their informal sector dominance hinders their access to finance, structured markets, and reliable trade information, crucial for competing within the AfCFTA framework. Participants highlighted the gap between policy frameworks and grassroots realities, questioning the adequacy of current trade policies for rural producers and smallholder farmers. Bama Cham of the Cameroon National Shippers Council provided practical insights, using Cameroon’s cocoa sector as a case study, demonstrating the aggregation model’s efficiency and competitiveness.
In addition to structural insights, the session explored tools to facilitate trade under the AfCFTA, such as a business certification mechanism simplifying product identification and cross — border transactions. Despite the identified innovations, participants cited informal taxes, weak infrastructure, and intermediary dominance as impediments to SME growth.
A recurring theme was the lack of transparency in pricing, which often leaves rural producers with reduced earnings. Addressing these inefficiencies requires policy reforms, improved access to market data, and capacity-building initiatives. Experts emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue in AfCFTA implementation, ensuring that SMEs in underserved areas understand and can access trade opportunities.
Organizers acknowledged the support of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Atlas Network, highlighting the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and development partners.
As Cameroon and Africa at large navigate the AfCFTA’s complexities, the focus on SMEs is a cornerstone of their economic strategies. By providing necessary support, African governments can ensure that SMEs are not just participants but key drivers of the AfCFTA’s success.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Panafricanvisions
Source: Pan African Visions
