African Marketplace Exhibition Targets SME Growth in Global Trade

The African Marketplace exhibition, running from October 10 to October 12 at the Conrad Dubai, connects African and Caribbean businesses with international buyers, strategic partners, and Dubai’s business community to explore trade opportunities and showcase products, services, technology, and creative innovations.

Ibukun Awosika, founder of African Marketplace and the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy (IALA), noted that SMEs represent approximately 90 percent of the Afro-Caribbean productive sector but face significant underrepresentation in international markets, restricting their access to global buyers and commercial opportunities.

Awosika emphasized that the exhibition aims to address this gap by providing a platform for African and Caribbean businesses to demonstrate product quality, establish relationships with international buyers, and expand market reach beyond their home regions.

Awosika proposed that African Marketplace functions as a mechanism to unlock SMEs as export engines, positioning them for global market participation.