By Ebi Kesiena
The Ivorian Employers’ Association has called for the creation of a special program aimed at increasing women entrepreneurs’ access to public procurement opportunities.
This proposal was a key highlight of the resolutions from the CGECI Academy 2024, the premier economic forum of the Ivorian Employers’ Association, held in Abidjan under the theme “What Service Industry to Stimulate the Performance of African Economies?”
The forum, organized by the Scientific Committee of CGECI Academy, featured extensive discussions through 16 panels, three round tables, five masterclasses, and a high-level exchange, addressing challenges and opportunities in enhancing the contribution of the service sector to African economies.
Vice-President of the Scientific Committee, Rosine Barouan, emphasized on the need to establish a dedicated program to support women entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to expose women, especially those in rural and interior areas, to business and financing opportunities, enabling them to grow their enterprises.
Barouan also highlighted the importance of popularizing financing organizations among women entrepreneurs and enhancing their financial literacy. These efforts, she noted, would foster greater inclusivity and economic empowerment for women across Côte d’Ivoire.
The forum’s resolutions included key strategies for several critical industries. Experts advocated for accelerated digitalization of commercial operations and technological innovation to streamline supply chains.
They also proposed supporting logistics start-ups through incubators, regulatory frameworks, and expanded economic infrastructure outside major urban areas. To bridge the gap between academic training and labor market demands, the Scientific Committee recommended integrating new learning methods, 21st-century skills, and local culture into education systems.
Collaboration between public and private sectors was encouraged, along with tax incentives and regulatory frameworks to boost service-sector growth. In financial services, recommendations included advancing payment digitalization, strengthening Fintech with innovative regulations, and fostering interoperability among banks, Fintech, and mobile money platforms to enhance financial inclusion
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged African leaders to address the continent’s underrepresentation in global trade. She called for leveraging economic zones and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost regional integration.
Closing the forum, CGECI President Ahmed Cisse expressed hope that the service industry would remain central to driving sustainable growth in African economies.
