CHINA-AFRICA DIGITAL TRADE WEEK PROGRAM KEY RELEVANT TOPICS IN AFRICA

We have compiled the key relevant topics based on our assessment on the key priorities and happenings in Africa. We have provided below some interview and question guides, each speaker will address this in light of their country context.

1. Africa- China trade in light of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)

• How will AfCFTA affect global trade especially Africa- China trade

• What is AfCFTA and how it will work

• What is the projected growth in intra-African trade resulting from AfCFTA

• What opportunities are there for African businesses

• Realistically, what options do the MSMEs have to access the AfCFTA market?

2. Aggregation of micro-enterprises in Africa to take advantage of the export opportunities presented by China

• What is aggregation and how does it work?

• Why should micro- businesses consider aggregating?

• Has it been successfully applied anywhere in Kenya?

• How can it be used by African businesses to access national and AfCFTA and global opportunities? Including China

• What challenges exist in aggregation and how are they mitigated

3. Trade opportunities for China traders and investors

• What are the key opportunities for potential investors? Key sectors?

• What strategic partnership options should China traders explore? ( JVs, Distribution Agreements etc.

• What have been the challenges experienced so far in your country with regards to trade with China

• What is your future outlook for your country on trade with China?

4. Franchising as a means of retooling trade in Africa( general presentation that covers the three

What is franchising and how does it work?

How different is it from other models, say distributorship, agency, JV, contract manufacturing, management contracts etc?

• What are the global trends in franchising?

• Are there indigenous African brands that run as franchises currently or in the past?

• Why should African businesses consider franchising seriously

• How can African businesses, including aggregated micro operators access national, continental and global markets through franchising?

• Is it the right time to think franchising, shouldn’t businesses be thinking survival?What challenges exist in franchising and how are they mitigated?

The proposed country speakers and timings in light of the above is as follows:

A. KENYA

B. RWANDA

C. ETHIOPIA