Julie Gichuru

“We have the solutions, we are in the grassroots - we invite you [policymakers] to learn our language as we tap into your mentorship” - Pauline Akinyi @raisingauthenticvoices This is just one of the key messages on today’s #ALADIStateofAfrica episode from our young people at the just concluded Global SME Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg, hosted by @internationaltradecentre . In partnership with the @mastercardfoundation through the #YoungAfricaWorks strategy, we brought young entrepreneurs face-to-face with senior policymakers in a dialogue that sparked fresh ideas and real solutions. Catch this powerful exchange on @cnbcafrica today at 8:00pm EAT | 7:00pm CAT #ALADIStateofAfrica #SMEMinisterial #AfricanSolutions #ALADI

Bold solutions take shape when Africa’s young people and policymakers sit at the same table🌍. At the Global SME Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg, hosted by @internationaltradecentre , #ALADI and the @mastercardfoundation , young entrepreneurs met face-to-face with senior policymakers in a dialogue that sparked fresh ideas and real solutions. Catch this powerful exchange on the new episode of State of Africa airing on @cnbcafrica on Monday, 25th August at 8:00pm EAT | 7:00pm CAT #ALADIStateofAfrica #SMEMinisterial #AfricanSolutions

“You are never too young to lead. You are never too old to learn.” H.E Mary J. Robinson emphasizes the role of young people to be co-decision makers and co-deciders at every table and the importance of inter-generational dialogue. Tune in to today’s final rewatch of the Transcending Podcast on @cnbcafrica at 8:00pm EAT 🖥️🍿in partnership with @mastercardfoundation Listen to all the episodes on your favorite streaming platforms 🎙️ #TranscendingBoundaries #ReetaRoyPodcast #ValueBasedLeadership #AfricanVoices

We’re celebrating International Youth Day all week 🎉 - because one day isn’t enough to spotlight Africa’s next generation of changemakers 🌍. At the Global SME Ministerial High-level Session convened by the @internationaltradecentre , our young African entrepreneurs shared bold policy ideas - from transforming agriculture through value addition to unlocking access to finance for youth-led SMEs. With support from the @mastercardfoundation and their #YoungAfricaWorks strategy, #ALADI is ensuring these voices move beyond the room and into Africa’s policy frameworks. Swipe through to hear their visions for a more inclusive future ➡️ #InternationalYouthDay #IYD2025 #SMEMinisterial #AfricanVoices #AfricanSolutions #ALADI

As we gear up for International Youth Day tomorrow, Patrick Awuah has a message to young people: “The project of development in Africa will require strong values and sacrifice from each one of us. It will not be easy to make change.🌍” The President and Founder of @ashesi has spent the past two decades educating a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders in Africa. You can catch his Transcending Boundaries Podcast episode on @cnbcafrica at 8:00pm EAT🖥️🍿 in partnership with @mastercardfoundation 🎙️Stream all episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform #TranscendingBoundaries #ReetaRoyPodcast #ValueBasedLeadership #IYD2025

“As it stands, policies have been designed for large corporations while, as small SME’s, we lack the financial or technical capacity to meet these requirements.” - Shamoil Cassoojee At the Global SME Ministerial High-level Session on Harnessing The Power of SMEs convened by the @internationaltradecentre young African entrepreneurs shared insights and solutions to address key policy gaps📋. The experiences and perspectives of young entrepreneurs are crucial to reshape Africa’s SME ecosystem and drive growth🚀. #ALADI, with support from the @mastercardfoundation under its #YoungAfricaWorks strategy, is ensuring these voices are not just heard - but centered in the push for inclusive policy reform⚖️. #SMEMinisterial #ALADI #AfricanVoices #AfricanSolutions

“Change doesn’t happen in silence.” Baroness Valerie Amos reminds us that real transformation needs voices - loud or quiet - pushing from the outside, calling for better🗣️. Don’t miss today’s episode of Transcending Boundaries airing at 8:00 PM EAT on @cnbcafrica in partnership with @mastercardfoundation 🤝 🎙Stream all episodes on your favourite podcast platforms. #TranscendingBoundaries #ReetaRoyPodcast #ValueBasedLeadership

“It’s not enough to speak about implementing policies. We need to bridge the disconnect between our laws and the policies that accompany them.” - @wanjiku_aw This is one of the incredible insights shared by our young entrepreneurs at the Global SME Ministerial High-level Session on Harnessing The Power of SMEs convened by the @internationaltradecentre in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦 #ALADI is amplifying these youth voices, supported by the @mastercardfoundation which seeks to create dignified and fulfilling work for millions of young Africans under the #YoungAfricaWorks strategy🌍 #SMEMinisterial #ALADI #AfricanSolutions #AfricanVoices

As we count down to International Youth Day, Roberta Jamieson shares a powerful reminder for young people on everyday leadership: “You make countless choices each day - own them.” 🤲 Don’t miss today’s episode of Transcending Boundaries airing at 8:00 PM EAT on @cnbcafrica , in partnership with @mastercardfoundation 🎙️ Stream all episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform. #TranscendingBoundaries #ReetaRoyPodcast #ValueBasedLeadership #IYD2025 #ALADI

An incredibly productive week connecting with and embedding young entrepreneurs into the dialogues at the @internationaltradecentre Global SME Ministerial Meeting, in partnership with @mastercardfoundation Delighted to see the Call to Action, heralding a global paradigm shift on the role and importance of SMEs. My highlights from the Call to Action: Recognition that SMEs are the backbone of our economies, responsible for approximately 90% of businesses in many countries and at least 50% of jobs, and have an essential role in spurring innovation, enabling environmental sustainability, empowering economic groups such as women and youth, fostering social cohesion, and creating inclusive growth. Acknowledgment that access to finance, digital transformation and green transition are key enablers for SMEs, to improve their capacities, support resilient prosperity, foster decent work, and enable inclusive economic growth for all. Commitment to targeted interventions to improve business environments, facilitate trade, and generate significant impact, including by: • expanding access to finance for SMEs by working with financial services providers, international financial institutions, and regulators to increase the affordability and variety of financing options, strengthen SMEs’ financial skills to improve bankability, and promote a supportive, inclusive financial regulatory environment; • accelerating SMEs’ digital transformation by working to ensure equitable access to affordable and reliable digital infrastructure and connectivity, support the development of digital skills and nurture talent, and foster a flexible and enabling regulatory environment; and • scaling up the green transition by working to facilitate SMEs’ access to affordable green finance; build skills and knowledge in green technologies and practices, and promote a clear, balanced, and supportive regulatory framework. And commitment to advocate for customised solutions. SMEs in Africa are holding our economies up, we must strive to give them strong foundations, recognition and dignity– for African proverb tells us 'when the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the storm'.

This week, at the Global SME Ministerial Meeting convened by @internationaltradecentre in Joburg, @aladinstitute_ stood alongside young African entrepreneurs—centering their voices and ensuring that their lived experiences, realities, and policy asks were front and centre with policymakers. With the support of the @mastercardfoundation, which is driving transformative change across the continent to enable millions of young Africans to access dignified and fulfilling work—we hosted a Ministerial Breakfast featuring a panel of exceptional young entrepreneurs: Pic 2: Yvonne Nuoriyee, Founder of Edible Treats in Ghana. Her chocolate brand, Enumde, supports female smallholder farmers, and she has trained over 150 women in vocational skills, promoting economic independence and resilience. Pic 3: Pauline Akinyi Juma, the visionary founder of Rebirth of a Queen, an initiative creating safe, empowering spaces for survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking. Pauline has equipped survivors with skills in crafting high-quality leather bags—ensuring they have dignified and sustainable livelihoods. Pic 4: Shamoil Casojee, the founder of Captain Hook Fish Processing, Smokehouse and Fisheries—one of South Africa’s few locally owned fish processing facilities. Specializing in gourmet, ready-to-eat seafood products like canned and bottled tuna, smoked fish, pâtés, and spreads, Shamoil works closely with local fishermen to preserve and promote traditional fishing methods. These remarkable young entrepreneurs captivated the hall of leaders, including ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton, with their resolve, resilience, and tangible impact. And we heard commitments from Pamela, Ministers and policymakers to stand alongside them. Their work challenges us all to reimagine Africa’s SMEs not merely as businesses but as engines of social transformation. They are anchors of development and deserve recognition and support. Change begins when we stand with those closest to the challenges we aim to solve. And few are closer than young entrepreneurs. As one of the Ministers said to the entrepreneurs–you are preaching, and we are converted!

Did you know that just 10 thriving SMEs could boost a country’s GDP by up to $1 billion USD? (Foresight Africa Report 2025-2030, Brookings) Now imagine the impact if they were youth-led. Today marks the official kick-off of the first-ever Global SME Ministerial – High-Level Session on Harnessing the Power of SMEs, convened by the @internationaltradecentre in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦 . At the heart of it all? Young entrepreneurs. From navigating limited access to finance, markets, and networks - to rewriting the rules of doing business across Africa - youth are taking the lead and making their voices heard in rooms of power. #ALADI stands proudly alongside ITC, amplifying these youth voices in support of the @mastercardfoundation ‘s #YoungAfricaWorks strategy - a bold commitment to creating dignified and fulfilling work for 30 million young Africans by 2030. Stay tuned as we bring you key insights, powerful moments, and bold ideas from the Global SME Ministerial over the next few days. This is only the beginning🚀. #SMEMinisterial #ALADI #AfricanSolutions #AfricanVoices