Compass Global hosts West meet East trade mission tour

To promote female regional trade and business cooperation, Compass Global has hosted the West Meet East trade mission and business development tour for business operators.

The aim of the West Meets East trade mission is to instigate a coalition for regional business linkages and partnerships towards improving intra Africa trade and against the backdrop of the AfCFTA.

The annual event is held in Nairobi, Kenya, as a ‘convergence’ to initiate powerful conversations with female leaders around gender development and the pivotal role gender balance and diversity has to play in Africa’s transformation agenda.

Kenya being the leading technology and innovation hub in Africa is uniquely positioned to leverage its success stories and case studies towards the process that is unfolding through the West Meets East business linkage experience.

Tokunbo Chiedu, convener and CEO of Compass Global Global Business Services, underlined the importance of African nations doing business with each other as Africa has the solutions for the current global challenges we are experiencing.

According to her, the tour offers a unique opportunity to showcase the regional value proposition of the East & West of Africa, whilst creating a platform to explore and develop opportunities & foster partnerships between players across the regions; towards unlocking the $22 billion Intra Africa Trade opportunity and against the backdrop of the AfCFTA.

Chiedu also praised the formidable leadership of Angela Ajala, national coordinator of the Association of Nigeria Women’s Business Networks (ANWBN) for its support, and the mobilization of members of its coalition from across the Federation to take part in this inaugural trade mission connecting West & East Africa.

A key focal point of the deliberations focused on the need to invest in the youths across the regions to build their capacity in entrepreneurship, leveraging on their passion in technology and e-commerce to build the continent.

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The activities of the West Meets East Trade Mission focused on the objectives of exposing players’ regional value chain opportunities, networking, whilst also building those important connections and vital links for regional integration.

Key focal points were the Market Visits (B2B Meeting & Appointments) / West meets East Africa marketplace and the business to customer activation during the two day conference.

The financial backing & support of ECOWAS Commission and Afrexim Bank mobilized the participation of 40 West Africa delegates including Presidents of Women Business Networks and Associations and SMEs from across key sectors of agribusiness, manufacturing and services from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Benin Republic, Liberia, Cape Verde, and Cameroun.

A total of 50 exhibitors made up of businesses / SMEs of West & East Africa showcased at the exhibition.

The ANWBN coalition members in attendance included: Gbemisola Oduntan deputy national coordinator of ANWBN, Noxie Oyewole, president of Commonwealth Women’s Business Council Africa, Funmilola Williams Daudu, president Akoko Chamber of Commerce, Funmilayo Ade – Ojo, National vice president Naccimma Women’s Business Group and Hajia Sameera Abubakar, the president of Better Life Foundation.

The four-day event, which comprised of market visits to Kenya Industries and meetings with key Government Agencies; witnessed the involvement of key players and actors from East Africa & Kenya, who were well represented at the two-day conference themed: Unlocking The AfCFTA Opportunity for Women & Youths: Leveraging Regional Value Chain Opportunities and Business Linkages to Improve Intra – Africa Trade.