THE WEST AFRICA SME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS CONTRIBUTES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECTOR, HOLDS IN ACCRA- PRINCE IKE O. SMARTY

As the emerging economies of the world continue to see the importance of micro, small and medium enterprises MSMEs to the growth and development of their nations, more platforms continue to spring up to further the cause of this extremely important sector.

For Africa generally, the MSME sector have for years been the sustaining factor in the quest for development and economic growth. This and other factors have led to this platform that is aimed at contributing to the improvement in the sector.

According to Prince Ike Smarty, the promoter of the West African SME Conference and Awards of Excellence (WASCA), and publisher of Africa Informer,

“ It is imperative for Africa to continuously create avenues for discussions and sharing of ideas on how to grow our MSMEs, because they are the bedrock of our survival. MSMEs employ millions, more than big corporations and multi nationals put together, in terms of cumulative cash flow you cannot shrug them aside, many are now home grown productive businesses. The advantages of continuously promoting the growth of this sector are unquantifiable”

Continuing he said, “The West Africa SME Conference seeks to bring together, relevant Government Agencies, CEOs  and  Decision makers of Small and Medium Enterprises, SME finance institutions, Foreign and African  Investors in the sector, Financial Engineers, budding and established Entrepreneurs as well as Captains of industry, to discuss ideas and proffer solutions that will engineer sustainable growth and remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of players in the Small and Medium Enterprises in West Africa in particular and Africa generally.

With the Theme : Reinventing  SME Financing For Better Impact, Improved Returns and Sustainable Growth, the one day conference will discuss at length, more viable options that will improve on the development and growth of small and medium businesses.

The West Africa SME Awards of Excellence will also be presented to outstanding SMEs that have made remarkable impact in their various areas of the  sector across West Africa, in areas like; Agriculture and Allied sector, Health Care, Manufacturing / FMCGs, Technology, IT, Hospitality, SME Finance, Trade, Environment, Real Estate, Public Administration, and a host of others.

Expected to deliver the Keynote id His Excellency Dr. John Jerry Rawlings, Former President of Ghana. Special Guest Speaker is Mr. Bola Adeboye, MD, Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank, Abuja, Nigeria. Other Speakers include Prof. Joshua Y. Abor, Dean, University of Ghana Business School, Legon. Prof. Godfred Bokpin, Head of Finance Department, University of Ghana Business School, Legon.

The one day conference comes up by the last week of April at the British Council in Accra.

Meanwhile a number of awardees and nominees have emerged in the run up to the event, namely, Erisco Foods Nigeria, Abii National Savings and Loans Ghana, Spark Entrepreneur School Lagos, Heavens Insecticides Ghana, Neuce Paints Ghana, Agyappiah bitters Ghana, E Barc Microfinance Ltd, Abuja-Nigeria, Adehyeman Savings and Loans Ghana, Unicredit Ghana, AG Mortgage Bank Lagos, Nigeria, , Women’s World Banking Ghana, Lapo Micro Finance, Benin City, Nigeria, Advans Savings and Loans Ghana Blue Crest Fashion College Ghana and a host of others.