Program
08:00 – 09:00
Welcome & Networking
09:00 – 09:45
Forum Opening
Call of the Conclave: Didier ACOUETEY – President – Africa SME Champions Forum & AfricSearch Group
SMEs: The Journey: KOTINGAN Eustache – President – National Employers’ Council of Benin
New Horizons: Félix AMENOUNVE – CEO – Regional Securities Exchange (BRVM)
Prologue: Mr. BIO TCHANE Abdoulaye – Minister of State for Development and Coordination of Government Action of the Republic of Benin
Signing Ceremony: African Guarantee Fund & BIIC
Host: MISSAINHOUN Joël-Eric – CEO – AfricSearch CI & Group Partner
09:45 – 10:30
Conclave 1
The Continental Pact for SMEs: A Catalyst for Economic Growth and Job Creation.
The Continental Pact for SMEs: A Catalyst for Economic Growth and Job Creation.
A new strategic framework to transform African SMEs and position them as engines of growth and innovation.
Speakers:
- AMENOUNVE Félix – CEO – Regional Securities Exchange
- FACIA Régis – Vice-President – National Employers’ Council of Benin
- GOMES Paulo – President – Orango
Moderator: DIA Seynabou – President – Global Mind Consulting
10:30 – 11:00
Strategy Talk: Setting the Course
Sidi Ould TAH – Candidate for the Presidency of the African Development Bank
Moderator: GOMES Paulo – President – Orango
11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break & Networking
11:30 – 12:30
Conclave 2
Revolutionizing SME Financing: The $50 Billion Challenge
Revolutionizing SME Financing: The $50 Billion Challenge
Mobilizing and channeling funding to SMEs by developing new financial mechanisms and involving new stakeholders.
11:30-12:00 Session 1 – Rethinking Collateral to Unlock Financing
Speakers:
- LAWSON Sibi – Deputy CEO – Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF) West Africa
- MONTETCHO Cedrick – Development Director – BADEA
12:00 – 12:30 Session 2 – The Awakening of New Capital for SMEs
Speakers:
- LE BLOND Aissatou – Managing Partner – Opéra Green Capital
- SOUMARE Aissatou – CEO – Société Générale Benin
- MBAYE Sokhna Adji – CEO – BOAD Securitization
Moderator: THIAM Naft – CEO – Strategis
12:30 – 12:50
Strategy Talk: Disrupting Development
SAKHO EKLO Oureye – Deputy CEO – BOAD
12:50 – 14:10
Networking Lunch
14 :10 – 14:30
Strategy Talk: The Voice of the Vanguard
GANGBES Laurent – CEO – Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises
Moderator: MISSAINHOUN Joël-Eric – Managing Partner – AfricSearch CI & Group
14:30 – 15:45
Conclave 3
Digitalization & SME Risk Reduction: A Key Pillar of the Continental Pact
Digitalization & SME Risk Reduction: A Key Pillar of the Continental Pact
Leveraging artificial intelligence, fintechs, and digital payment platforms to improve financial inclusion and reduce risks associated with SMEs.
14:30 – 15:15 Session 1 – The Boldness of Risk
Speakers:
- DAOU Jonas – President – Zener Group
- MIGAN Emmanuelle – Operations Director – FAGACE
- VACE Léonce – CEO – NSIA Group
15:15 – 15:45 Session 2 – Digital Financing for SMEs: How to Reach the Grail?
Speakers:
- DIALLO BARRY Hadiatou – President – Akiba Finance
- KOUNOU Gilles – CEO – OPEN SI
- SOUMARE Aissatou – CEO – Société Générale Benin
Moderator: MOUDOUTE BELL Stéphane – President – Latitude Monde
15 :45 – 16:15
Coffee Break & Networking
16:15 – 17:15
Conclave 4
The Forces in Motion: The Time of the Builders
The Forces in Motion: The Time of the Builders
16:15 – 16:45 Session 1 – Beyond Capital: Rethinking SME Support
Speakers:
- AYIBATIN Didier – CEO – BIIC Financial Services (BFS)
- KOMLAN Estelle – CEO – Ecobank Togo
16:45 – 17:15 Session 2 – Accelerating the Making of Champions
Speakers:
- FACIA Régis – Vice-President – National Employers’ Council of Benin
- ZEZE Stanislas – President – Bloomfield Investment Corporation
Moderator: Didier ACQUETEY – President – Africa SME Champions Forum & AfricSearch Group
17:15 – 17:45
Closing Conclave
20:00 – 22:30
Gala Dinner & Africa SME Champions Awards Ceremony
9:00 – 16:30
