ICC DRS Africa Business Talks - Episode 10: Spotlight on SMEs in Africa

28 May 2024

Nairobi and online English
Start: 08:30 (EAT) - End: 12:30 (EAT)

Join us online or in Nairobi for the tenth episode of this roundtable discussion organized in collaboration with the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship. The event aims at gathering experts from public and private sectors, to learn more about the concerns and needs of the business community in the African continent.

This new episode of the ICC DRS Africa Business Talks put the spotlight on SMEs in Africa and focus on strengthening SMEs participation in cross border trade and understanding how to make ESG a profitable reality for SMEs. 

This session is designed to provide participants with an overview of some of the key initiatives being undertaken by the International Chamber of Commerce to support the internationalization of SMEs.

(EAT Time Zone)

08:30 - 08:55

Registration and Welcome of the Participants

09:00 - 09:10

Opening remarks

  • Dr. Eric Rutto, President, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry
  • Julius Opio, Chair, Environment and Energy Commission, ICC Kenya
  • Diamana Diawara, Director, Arbitration and ADR, Africa, ICC Dispute Resolution Services

09:10 - 09:20

East Africa outlook: A dynamic economic recovery subject to multiple challenges

  • Melanie Laloum, Lead Economist, ICC Global Policy

09:20 - 10:20

Session I - Beyond borders: Strengthening SME participation in cross border trade

  • Moderator - Iva Hristova, Head of Operations, Global Partnerships and Development, International Chamber of Commerce

ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship

  • Ullas Marar, Head, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship
  • Catherine Foster, Global Lead, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship
  • Virginia Waruingi, Head of Centres of Entrepreneurship Nairobi Hub, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

ICC SME Trade Toolkit

  • Charly Gordon, ICC Global Policy Lead, Small Businesses

Case Study

  • Ayub Zande, Co-Founder, Urembo Crafts

Open discussion and questions
  • Catherine Foster, Global Lead, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship 

10:20 - 11:20

Session II - Environmental and Social Governance for SMEs an opportunity to grow the business

  • Moderator – Diamana Diawara, Director, Arbitration and ADR, Africa, ICC Dispute Resolution Services
  • Sustainable trade : opportunities of the circular economy
  • Gender diversity: financing female led businesses
  • Patricia Nzolantima, Chairwoman, Bizzoly Holdings
  • ESG and attractivity of African SMEs for international investment and finance
  • Eugenio Bettella, Partner, Bergs & More
  • Path for growth: making sustainability reporting work for SMEs
  • Charly Gordon, ICC Global Policy Lead, Small Businesses

Case Study
  • Muthoni Karubiu, Head of Operations, Amini

11:20 - 11:35

Q&A session

11:35- 11:45

Closing keynote: Enhancing cross border trade with safe and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms

  • Claudia Salomon, President, ICC International Court of Arbitration

11:45 - 11:50

Closing remarks and Vote of thanks

  • Diamana Diawara, Director, Arbitration and ADR, Africa, ICC Dispute Resolution Services

11:50 - 12:30

Networking session with refreshments


Eugenio Bettella

Partner, Bergs & More, Padova, Dubai, Nairobi 

Diamana Diawara

Director, Arbitration and ADR, Africa, ICC Dispute Resolution Services

Catherine Foster

Global Lead, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship

Charly Gordon

ICC Global Policy Lead, Small Businesses

Iva Hristova

Head of Operations, Global Partnerships and Development, International Chamber of Commerce

Muthoni Karubiu

Head of Operations, Amini, Nairobi

Melanie Laloum

Lead Economist, ICC Global Policy

Ullas Marar

Head, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship

Patricia Nzolantima

Chairwoman, Bizzoly Holdings, Kinshasa

Julius Opio

Chair, Environment and Energy Commission, ICC Kenya, Nairobi

Dr. Eric Rutto

President, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Nairobi

Claudia Salomon

President, ICC International Court of Arbitration

Virginia Waruingi

Head of Centres of Entrepreneurship Nairobi Hub, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nairobi

Ayub Zande

Co-Founder, Urembo Crafts, Nairobi

Venue

In-person attendance : 

Diamond Trust Bank Center

MRFX+F95, Mombasa Road, Nairobi, Kenya 

Online attendance :

Zoom link will be provided by email one day ahead of the event

Working language English
Registration

The event is free, however, prior registration is required.

For further information, please contact:

ICC DRS Africa

iccdrs-africa@iccwbo.org

Organiser

Sponsor

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