Event Report Date: 28 August 2024 Theme: Celebrating trailblazers and inspiration women in Africa. The midday event held at Emperors Palace was a remarkable success, celebrating Yavi Madurai, a transformational leader and advocate for African trade. Held in honour of Women’s Month 2024, the event brought together business professionals, youth entrepreneurs for an insightful discussion on Africa’s economic future under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Insights into AfCFTA and African Trade Yavi Madurai delivered a powerful keynote, shedding light on the opportunities AfCFTA presents for South African businesses. She emphasized the importance of intra-African trade, strategic business partnerships, and digital trade enablement in unlocking the continent’s economic potential. Attendees gained valuable insights into navigating cross-border trade, overcoming barriers, and leveraging AfCFTA to scale their businesses across Africa. Her message was clear: “Africa is open for business, and those who are prepared will thrive in the evolving economic landscape”. Her expertise and passion for empowering businesses made a lasting impact on the audience.
A Celebratory Atmosphere & Networking Over Lunch Following Yavi’s inspiring address, guests enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, providing a relaxed setting for networking and meaningful discussions. The event fostered an atmosphere of collaboration and empowerment, allowing attendees to connect, share experiences, and discuss new opportunities for women in business and trade.
Key Takeaways AfCFTA presents vast opportunities for South African businesses to expand across Africa. Strategic partnerships and digital trade platforms are key to facilitating smooth cross-border trade. Women entrepreneurs have a significant role to play in Africa’s economic growth and should actively participate in intra-African trade. Resilience, innovation, and collaboration are essential to success in the evolving African market.
Conclusion This empowering Women’s Month celebration not only honoured Yavi Madurai’s leadership and achievements but also provided attendees with valuable knowledge and connections to drive their businesses forward. The event underscored the importance of women’s participation in trade and economic development, leaving attendees inspired and motivated to take bold steps towards building a stronger African business ecosystem. The afternoon concluded on a high note, with guests departing energized, informed, and ready to embrace new opportunities across Africa.
