UNIDO participates at the 2nd Annual African Union (AU) MSME Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

UNIDO and the African Union (AU) will work together to foster cluster development and industrial upgrading as one of the models to intensify efforts to foster growth of start-up ventures in Africa.

An awareness session on “Cluster development and industrial upgrading” was held on 6th September 2023 in Addis Ababa as part of the second edition of the annual AU Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum. The awareness session held in a hybrid format was attended by 200 participants and key stakeholders from across the continent. The event showcased good practices implemented by UNIDO in Africa to support SMEs' competitiveness and enhance their participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and in international markets, as well as contribute to the successful implementation of the AU’s SME Strategy which is targeted at MSMEs and private sector-led development.

Mr. Victor Diwandja Djemba, UNIDO Chief, Africa Bureau, highlighted that: “UNIDO’s vision for Africa is to leverage Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) for improved living standards and contributing to the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for the SDGs”.

Mr. Fabio Russo, UNIDO Chief, SME Development and Job Creation Unit, pointed out that “UNIDO’s modular approach to supporting clusters has been tried and tested in various countries in Africa strengthening an enabling environment and building capacities of Governments, business support organizations, young entrepreneurs and start-ups resulting in sustainable value chains, competitiveness, conformity, and connectivity. 

On the margins of the MSME Forum, the UNIDO delegation paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals at the African Union Commission (AUC). The bilateral meeting explored ways of enhancing the partnership between AUC and UNIDO and discussed specific areas of cooperation to support the goals enshrined in Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030.

Learn more about the MSME Forum here https://au.int/en/2ndAnnualMSME

Address for further inquiries:

Mrs. Ebe Muschialli,

UNIDO Industrial Development Expert

Email: e.muschialli [at] unido.org (e[dot]muschialli[at]unido[dot]org)