⭐️ European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME is the largest confederation of voluntarily associated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It’s a Brussels-based business federation which currently counts 30 SME representative associations from all over Europe, with more than 2.1 million enterprises, employing over 16 million people.

Its engagement to foster African-European partnership led to the establishment of the EU-African SME Alliance. The Alliance, is a dynamic partnership dedicated to strengthening economic ties between small and medium-sized enterprises #SMEs in Europe and Africa. Rooted in shared values and a spirit of mutual growth, the Alliance was launched in 2019 during the first EU-African SME Summit in Brussels, where ten business support organisations from both continents came together under the auspices of the European Commission and the African Union Commission. This historic event marked the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, a milestone that laid the foundation for a long-term, strategic cooperation focused on sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Since then, the Alliance has grown significantly, now bringing together 18 members from across Europe and Africa. These members represent a broad spectrum of sectors, from women’s entrepreneurship and youth empowerment to digital innovation, upskilling, and vocational education. What unites them is a commitment to the principle of “shared value”—the belief that economic success and social progress are deeply interconnected.

💡 Key Initiatives and Activities:

🌱 EU-African SME Summit:

Held every three years, the Summit serves as the flagship event of the Alliance. The most recent edition in 2025 in Johannesburg brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to explore how strategic partnerships, skills development, and sustainable trade can fuel inclusive growth. It provided a platform to address key challenges and opportunities linked to continental integration, the energy transition, and international trade—always keeping SMEs at the center of the dialogue.

🔗 SME2B - To match fellow SMEs worldwide! 🤝

Our innovative B2B platform is designed to empower European and African SMEs, connecting them with potential commercial partners across the continents. Unlock the full potential of the European Single Market with ease and efficiency through our user-friendly platform.

🗞️ The African-European Business Brief

Our bi-monthly newsletter, the African-European Business Brief, reaches over 1,800 readers, including entrepreneurs, partners, and policy stakeholders. In collaboration with organisations like Get.Invest, GIZ, africon, PACCI, BVMW, Shared Value Africa and the European Commission, the newsletter provides updates on funding opportunities, training programs, investment prospects, and success stories from our network. It’s a valuable tool for both European businesses looking to invest in Africa, and African entrepreneurs seeking access to EU markets.

📣 Policy Dialogue:

European Entrepreneurs is actively engaged in political dialogue, participating in the Business Fora organised by the European Commission within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative. These fora foster meaningful exchanges between public and private stakeholders at both local and European levels. As part of this engagement, Mr. Stefan Moritz, Secretary General of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, represents the Confederation in the Global Gateway Business Advisory Group, reinforcing its commitment to shaping a collaborative and forward-looking international partnership strategy.

📊 Collaborative Projects - EU-African SME Carbon Emission Reduction, Removal and Compensation Agreement (EASME-CERRCA):

Collaborative Projects: Through projects co-funded by the European Union, the Alliance collaborates closely with African partners to address key challenges. The (EASME-CERRCA) agreement was sigend between European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), and Afrinet Carbon Ltd, aiming at building frameworks for SME collaboration on carbon reduction, removal, and compensation. By linking sustainability with competitiveness, the partnership seeks to create cross-continental business opportunities and enable SMEs to play an active role in the global carbon market.

Giorgia MOROSSI

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