Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Khulekani Mavimbela
Published on 2024-04-02 09:59:20
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini recently welcomed a courtesy visit from Mulualem Syoum, the CEO of the AeTrade Group, along with Chief Operating Officer Treasure Maphanga at the Private and Cabinet Office. The purpose of the meeting was to update the government on the progress of the AeTrade Group’s continental initiatives and to reaffirm the group’s commitment to establishing its regional headquarters in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
In 2019, Eswatini successfully secured the bid to host the regional headquarters of the AeTrade Group, signifying a significant milestone in the nation’s economic development. During the meeting, the group highlighted its flagship programs, including the Africa Job Creation Initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment and initiatives promoting digital and financial inclusion for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women, and youth under the integrated digital ecosystem known as “Sokokuu.Africa.”
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini expressed his gratitude for the AeTrade Group’s ongoing commitment to establishing its operations in the Kingdom. To facilitate this process, he offered temporary locations for the group’s head offices until the permanent headquarters were constructed. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the AeTrade Group and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade to develop a comprehensive action plan. This plan would outline key areas of cooperation to activate opportunities for Eswatini to serve as a regional hub for Southern Africa, focusing on job creation, digital and financial inclusion, and overall economic development.
In response, AeTrade CEO Syoum acknowledged the Kingdom’s advocacy support, particularly from His Majesty King Mswati III, who chairs the Presidential Advisory Council of the AeTrade Group. Syoum highlighted the urgency of implementing grassroots programs that positively impact people’s lives and emphasized the importance of collective efforts involving government entities, development partners, the United Nations, the private sector, and civil society stakeholders.
The African E-Trade Group (AeTrade) is a multi-stakeholder group of African professionals and business people with a vision to develop and implement an e-empowerment program that will enhance intra-and inter-African trade. The group collaborates with public and private sector partners to develop projects that utilize information and communication technologies (ICTs) to benefit Africa’s entrepreneurs.
Overall, the meeting between Prime Minister Russell Dlamini and the AeTrade Group reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing economic development, job creation, and digital integration in Eswatini. The collaboration between the government and the private sector demonstrates a strong partnership aimed at driving sustainable growth and prosperity in the region.
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