MASERU, Sept. 25 — The Government of Lesotho, in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), UNDP Lesotho and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) will host a three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with skills to access regional and continental markets.
The workshop, scheduled for Monday is expected to bring together about 65 to 70 MSMEs, regional buyers, wholesalers and retail chains.
Speaking in an interview with the Agency, the acting Senior Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development Ms. Nyakallo Nts’inyi said that the workshop is intended to help MSMEs understand and take advantage of market opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She indicated that while AfCFTA provides access to a continental market of more than one billion consumers, many businesses still face challenges that prevent them from fully benefiting from preferential trade arrangements.
Ms. Nts’inyi noted that the workshop will therefore focus on practical issues such as Rules of Origin, trade standards and compliance requirements, as well as the use of digital trade and e-commerce tools.
She mentioned that strengthening MSMEs’ understanding of these requirements is important if Lesotho is to increase the number of local businesses participating in regional and continental value chains.
According to Nts’inyi, the training forms part of efforts to support the implementation of Lesotho’s National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and Action Plan.
Ms. Nts’inyi mentioned that the workshop is also expected to strengthen the participation of women- and youth-led enterprises in regional and continental trade.
The initiative is being organised in collaboration with ECA, UNDP Lesotho, UNRCO Lesotho, the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), and experts from the SACU and SADC Secretariats.
The workshop is expected to improve MSMEs’ export readiness, increase utilisation of regional and continental trade preferences, strengthen business linkages and promote the adoption of digital tools for trade.
The first day will focus on market intelligence and export opportunities, while the second day will cover trade frameworks, Rules of Origin and compliance requirements.
The other days will feature business-to-business (B2B) seminar and market-linkage activities, providing MSMEs with an opportunity to interact with potential buyers and retail networks.
The workshop will also expose businesses to opportunities available under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol.
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