Just 20% of African SMEs participate in export trade — Prof. Opoku-Agyemang
The Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has raised concerns over the low level of participation by African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in cross-border trade, warning that the continent’s economic transformation ambitions will remain unattainable without stronger support for the sector.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra, the Vice President said that although the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a historic opportunity for economic integration, many businesses are unable to take advantage of the expanded market.
“Fewer than 20 percent of SMEs engage in export trade,” she noted, describing the situation as a major barrier to Africa’s goal of building a single, integrated economic space.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described the AfCFTA as the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, encompassing a market of about 1.3 billion people. She said the agreement provides Africa with a pathway from economic dependency to self-reliance.
However, she cautioned that the continent’s future growth must be inclusive, stressing that the exclusion of young people, women and small enterprises would undermine long-term prosperity.
“A future that excludes young people, women and small enterprises is not one we can afford,” she said.
The Vice President noted that SMEs account for an estimated 80 percent of employment across Africa and make a significant contribution to gross domestic product, positioning them at the centre of economic growth and job creation.
She also highlighted the critical role of women in Africa’s economy, pointing out that they constitute nearly half of the workforce and are key drivers of micro and small enterprises. Despite this, she said, women continue to face persistent barriers in access to finance, mobility and markets.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called for deliberate policies and targeted support to ensure that SMEs, women and young entrepreneurs are fully integrated into Africa’s trade and development agenda.
Source: Sekunde FM
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