Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
In a rapidly evolving digital economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly being recognised as the backbone of Africa’s trade and economic growth.
To help businesses tap into wider continental markets, the ECOWAS Parliament is set to host a strategic onboarding session aimed at connecting SMEs to Africa’s growing digital trade ecosystem.
The African Trade Gateway (ATG) SME Onboarding Session, organised under the West Africa SME Trade Facilitation and Market Access Programme (WATMAP), will hold virtually on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (WAT) via Zoom.
The webinar, themed “Leveraging Digital Trade Platforms for Market Access, Trade Intelligence, and SME Growth Across Africa,” is designed to equip businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to expand beyond local markets and take advantage of emerging regional and continental trade opportunities.
They session, powered by the Association of West African Legislative Correspondents, AWALCO and supported by the ECOWAS Parliament targets exporters, women-owned businesses, SMEs and MSMEs, agribusiness enterprises, manufacturers, service providers, trade associations, and businesses seeking regional and continental market access.
Participants interested in onboarding are expected to have a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Certificate of Incorporation, a Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Export Certificate, and an active email address.
The initiative forms part of activities marking the 25th Anniversary of the ECOWAS Parliament and seeks to strengthen cross-border trade by linking businesses with digital platforms that provide market intelligence, trade facilitation services, and access to new customers across Africa.
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