Overview
Transforming Africa within a generation is only possible with a sustainable and competitive private sector. In many African countries, the local-content and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) ecosystem is underdeveloped and characterized by limited investment, particularly in terms of patient capital. Combined with high barriers to entry into global supply chains and unsupportive public policy, SMEs face severe constraints on their ability to scale. Carefully considered, private sector-led initiatives anchored in sound analytics and practice can build up the ecosystem and enhance productivity, diversification, and export competitiveness.
Our work on Private Sector Development aims to drive an inclusive economic transformation by engaging the private sector with direct, impactful support. At the macro level, we promote evidence-informed private-sector friendly public policy and regulations and provide direction and coordination to strengthen the SME ecosystem. At the micro level, we assist SMEs in becoming investment-ready and support them to integrate into regional and global supply value chains through incubator and accelerator projects.
Key Contacts
Programs
ACET Business Transform (ABT)
ABT helps develop early- to growth-stage small and medium-size enterprises with a manufacturing or assembly component in their business model. Experts provide free, top-tier technical and managerial services, mentorship, coaching, direct financial support, and transaction advisory services to ten businesses with the aim of making them investment-ready.
Good Exporting Practices Program
The Good Exporting Practices Program is a fully funded skills and capacity development program specifically designed for Ghanaian SMEs in the Non-Traditional Export (NTE) sector.
Featured Reports & Studies
Le présent rapport rentre dans le cadre d’une étude plus étendue sur l’expérience des banques nationales de développement en Afrique.
This case study explores the governance structures and operations of the Bank for Financing Small and Medium Enterprises (BFPME) in Tunisia.
Featured Insights & Ideas
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Validation Workshop: Developmental activities and impacts of National Development Banks, the case of Rwanda
Validation Workshop: Developmental activities and impacts of National Development Banks, the case of Rwanda
The Private Sector Development (PSD) Unit of ACET is hosting a validation workshop on Tuesday October 19, 2021 on the Developmental activities and impacts of National Development Banks in Rwanda.
Challenges and Changes: The Political Economy of National Development Banks in Ghana – ADB & NIB in Perspective
Challenges and Changes: The Political Economy of National Development Banks in Ghana – ADB & NIB in Perspective
This PSD event brings together government officials, civil society organizations, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss and validate the findings in the initial draft of the Political Economy of National Development Banks in Ghana.
Validation workshop: Promoting Sustainable Export Processing Zones in Ghana
Validation workshop: Promoting Sustainable Export Processing Zones in Ghana
The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is hosting a validation workshop and dialogue on promoting Sustainable Export Processing Zones development in Ghana with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
Commentary
A continent at a digital crossroads
Africa must rapidly move towards digitizing manufacturing, or miss out on the regional and global value chains of the future. Digitization creates opportunities for financial inclusion, transparency in public services, […]
Industrial policy SMEs Technology upgrading