More than 2 000 African buyers and sellers are expected to meet and ignite intercontinental trade at the third annual Made in Africa Conference on 13 March 2024. Now in its third year, this virtual, free to attend event is the biggest gathering of African businesses, purchasing decision-makers, investors, and policymakers. The 2024 Made in Africa Conference is sponsored by Absa. 

The sponsorship reflects Absa’s commitment to localisation to build African businesses and economies, as well as its unwavering dedication to supporting and enabling clients and stakeholders across the continent, says Judah Mphela, head of Business Banking Africa Regions. Commenting further on Absa’s support as this year’s anchor sponsor of the Made in Africa Conference, he states: “Africa has the second largest population in the world. We have a combined GDP of more than USD3 trillion, which is growing at almost twice the global average. We have the youngest population compared to other continents. Let’s unleash the potential through inter Africa trading!”

Made in Africa’s core objective is to drive the imperative to “Buy Africa, for Africa”. The conference programme is designed to provide local suppliers with a practical roadmap to access cross-border trade opportunities and strengthen African trade linkages. However, Made in Africa goes beyond presentations. It offers dedicated networking sessions where buyers and sellers from across the continent can connect, engage and explore business opportunities one-on-one.

A key feature of the event is the full-day buyer meetings. These enable local suppliers to engage with corporate buyers from across the continent throughout the day. Made in Africa’s state-of-the-art dedicated virtual event platform offers the functionality for attendees to meet one on one, share business cards and contact information, upload presentations and brochures, attend sessions and meet Absa’s virtual banking team.

Made in Africa’s attendees include business owners and suppliers from across Africa who are seeking practical insights into accessing new markets and expanding cross-border trade, who want to connect with buyers and pitch products and solutions. African supply chain and procurement professionals who recognise the imperative to drive economic growth across Africa attend the event to source from local businesses. Made in Africa has also gained support and recognition from governments, regulatory agencies and business enablers who are committed to expanding the platform to boost local economies.

Highlights of this year’s Made in Africa Conference programme include a powerful presentation that will explore investment opportunities in Africa as well a session covering the steps needed to build a robust supplier network on the continent, leveraging the right people and platform.

Commendations from past attendees are testament to the growth, success and impact of Made in Africa since its launch three years ago. “I had the privilege to join most of the sessions and I found it not only to be inspiring but also full of insights that African leaders need to forge a way forward to building sustainable value chains and value networks for the beloved continent," commented Ntsane Lesenyeho, Executive Education, University of Cambridge. Alta Ingram from Genpact said of the 2023 Made in Africa Conference: “I want to compliment all the arrangements and speakers for the event. It was wonderful how everything just fell into place.”

The 2024 Made in Africa Conference will run alongside the Africa Supply Chain in Action (ASCA) event, Africa’s largest virtual conference for procurement and inbound supply chain professionals, which is now in its fourth year and will be held under the theme “Unity in Diversity - Connecting African Supply Chains”. To find out more or to register to attend ASCA and the Made in Africa Conference, visit the ASCA website

professional development for procurement and supply chain professionals while achieving economic development objectives in each region through enterprise, supplier development linking small business to supply chain.

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