The launch of the capacity-building programme for SME managers from member countries of the Réseau International des Agences Francophones de Promotion des Investissements (RIAFPI) was held from 20 to 22 February 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Libreville.
The event, hosted by the Agence Nationale de Promotion des Investissements du Gabon (ANPI-Gabon), focused on the modelling of the various phases of a project, namely: the technical, commercial and operational structuring of projects; the financial engineering of projects and financial resource mechanisms, and was attended by SME managers from the Network's member states.
The launch ceremony was marked by speeches from :
Mr Mays MOUISSI, Minister for the Economy and Participations, focused on encouraging the CEOs of the African delegations present at this event. He shared his vision of the aspects necessary for the emergence of a sustainable economic fabric aimed at making SMEs competitive nationally and internationally, including: the environment, support from the state and financial institutions.
Mr Alphonse WAGUENA, Representative of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), stressed the importance of developing trade and creating a favourable economic environment in the French-speaking world.
M. Anthony NKINZO KAMOLE, President of RIAFPI and Director General of ANAPI-RDC, outlined RIAFPI's main strategic objectives for the next 5 years: increasing the Network's visibility and legitimacy in the eyes of the governments and organisations of the member countries; boosting operational cooperation between the investment promotion agencies of the member countries; creating an academy of excellence for the melting pot of IPAs and SMEs in terms of investment promotion techniques; and putting in place a shared approach for the emergence of guarantee fund solutions for the benefit of investments made by all the investment promotion agencies that are members.
It should be noted that the aim of this major event is to consolidate the chain of solidarity between RIAFPI member countries within the French-speaking world, and to provide SME managers with the tools they need to manage their businesses effectively for harmonious economic development.