By turning continental trade policy into practical opportunities, TradeRoots Africa empowers businesses to compete regionally and globally.
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Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make up 90% of African businesses and employ 70% of the workforce, yet fewer than 20% export formally. High costs, complex regulations, limited digital tools, infrastructure constraints and the lack of financing hold businesses back. These barriers are interconnected and addressing them in isolation does not produce exporters.
Launched by the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship at the 2025 B20 Summit in South Africa, TradeRoots Africa Ecosystem helps SMEs across the continent become export-ready under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). By turning continental and regional trade policies into practical opportunities, TradeRoots Africa empowers African businesses to compete regionally and globally.
In collaboration with ICC national committees and African chambers, TradeRoots Africa will build a SME support system through a sequenced, practical framework around six pillars:
Tier 1: Trade foundations
November 2026 – March 2027
1,000 SMEs learn export compliance, documentation, AfCFTA and regional trade basics through the delivery of Modules 1 – 14 through virtual/blended webinars, practical sessions and capacity-building activities.
Tier 2: Digital and sector skills
April – June 2027
200 SMEs* gain advanced capabilities in e-commerce, sustainability trade finance and market adaptation through the delivery of Modules 16 – 19, Regional/corridor bootcamps, targeted technical support, mentorship, buyer connections, digital trade and trade finance readiness workshops.
Tier 3: Export acceleration
July–August 2027
50 SMEs* develop export plans, access new markets and secure trade finance through the delivery of Module 18 on Transaction support, buyer engagement, trade finance facilitation, one-one sessions and continued business development.
*Only SMEs who have participated in Tier 1 are eligible for Tier 2 and Tier 3.
Applications are now open until 30 September. The programme will officially launch in November 2026 and run until August 2027.
The programme seeks a balanced cohort of emerging SMEs, growth-stage businesses and established SMEs with strong potential to scale across African markets. To apply, your business must meet the following criteria:
*Countries that are an AfCFTA State Party:
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
The TradeRoots Africa programme is made possible thanks to our global network.
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Join the TradeRoots Africa journey and help SMEs move from trade readiness to real opportunities across Africa — through market access, trade finance, logistics, digital trade, mentorship and business development. For partnership opportunities or further information, please reach out to us using the contacts below.
At this week’s B20 South Africa Summit in Johannesburg, ICC announced TradeRoots Africa – a flagship legacy initiative to boost the participation of women-and youth-led enterprises, and MSMEs from across Africa, in regional and global trade.
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