AU to Convene 4th MSME Forum in Abuja, June 23–27

The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will host the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum from June 23 to 27, 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The 4th MSME Forum, themed: “Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa,” is being organized by the AUC’s Department for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM), and will bring together stakeholders from across the continent to accelerate the growth of Africa’s MSME ecosystem.

The Forum will assess the state of MSME development in Africa while fostering policy coordination, digital transformation, and improved access to finance and markets. The 4th AU MSME Forum follows three previous editions including the maiden edition held in Cairo (2022); the second edition held in Addis Ababa (2023), and the third edition held in Windhoek (2024), becoming the premier platform for dialogue between policymakers, development partners, and entrepreneurs on SME development in Africa.

A press release by the AU about the event underscored the fact that African MSMEs play a critical role in driving inclusive economic growth, employment, innovation. The Forum will feature a wide range of activities, including capacity-building workshops, MSME exhibitions, high-level policy dialogues, live pitching competitions, and a formal MoU signing with the Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF) to boost access to finance for entrepreneurs.

“The AU MSME Forum supports women and youth-led enterprises, promoting evidence-based policy alignment, and advancing investment-ready ventures to continental markets. The Forum is a key instrument under the AU’s Agenda 2063 aimed at unlocking the potential of Africa’s small businesses to drive regional integration through AfCFTA, job creation, and industrial transformation,” the press release noted.

According to the press release, the expected outcomes include enhanced digital literacy among MSMEs, clearer pathways to affordable funding, and a strengthened continental network for innovation-led business development. The AU anticipates that the Abuja Forum will create actionable strategies that address persistent challenges facing MSMEs, especially limited financing and market access barriers.

The Forum will bring together representatives of regional economic communities, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, and the private sector and climax with special MSME Awards Ceremony to recognize outstanding small businesses fostering innovation and sustainability. “The Forum is designed to assess the current state of MSMEs in Africa, share practical strategies for improving access to finance, market opportunities, and digital tools, and align national and continental policies for MSME development,” the press release said.