Maseru, Sept. 30 — The third and final day of a workshop aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Lesotho’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage regional trade agreements and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opened with a Business-to-Business (B2B) seminar linking entrepreneurs with potential buyers.
The seminar saw 40 entrepreneurs exhibiting their products to potential buyers.
Launching the seminar, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Business, Mrs Palesa Matobako, said the design of the deliberations was deliberate, as it sought to address two major challenges facing MSMEs: access to finance and access to markets.
She said the Government of Lesotho has placed the private sector at the heart of the country’s growth, recognising its role in creating employment, expanding production and driving economic development.
The B2B seminar formed part of the three-day workshop, which brought together about 70 MSMEs and focused on equipping entrepreneurs with knowledge on market opportunities, export procedures, standards, compliance and regional trade.
One of the participants, Mosa Sixishe from Ha Makoti in Thaba-Tseka, said the workshop had broadened her understanding of business management, finance, value chains and exporting.
“This workshop has really just opened our eyes and has invested so much leadership in us as leaders to know how we conduct business, finances, engage, build or form clusters in the value chain and connect and communicate,” she said.
Sixishe said the knowledge gained would also be shared with young people in her community, where she works with youth.
Ha Makoti specialises in home and kitchen décor, producing products including coasters, placemats, under plates and wall art, among other items.
The business sources materials, particularly ‘moseea’, from suppliers in districts including Thaba-Tseka and Teyateyaneng.
“We have a community of different suppliers. It’s very risky in business to rely on one supplier due to weather conditions, drought and demand,” she said.
She said the business currently distributes its products to stores across Lesotho and is working towards entering neighbouring markets through cross-border trade within the next six to 12 months.
The B2B engagement provided entrepreneurs with an opportunity to move beyond discussions on market access and establish direct connections with potential buyers, supporting the workshop’s broader objective of preparing MSMEs to participate in regional and continental markets.
Ends/TES
