Kenyan manufactures, creatives urged to seize opportunities in AfCFTA hackathon

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 30 – Kenyan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)/startups have been urged to participate in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) hackathon designed for Manufacturers and creatives in the branding industry.

The hackathon which was launched to commemorate AfCFTA’s third anniversary in May will see brand artists showcase their potential in refreshing brand identity for SMEs in a bid to boost their sales.

“To mark this grand occasion, the Secretary-General, H.E. Wamkele Mene, and the AfCFTA Champion, former President of Niger, H.E.Mahamadou Issoufou, warmly invite SMEs/Startups in the product manufacturing space, and brand artists and other brand creatives who can help such SMEs to refresh the brand identity of their products in order to boost sales, to participate in a Hackathon,” AfCFTA said in a statement.

Brand artists include graphic and visual designers, as well as voice and musical arts for brands.

SMEs interested in refreshing their brand identity should register by uploading pictures of products and sample packaging artwork while brand artists come up with new creatives to represent the brand.

“The best collaborative output as judged by the AfCFTA hackathon mall and supermarket partners shall be recognized with prizes and spotlighting opportunities across Africa during the third-anniversary celebration,” the statement reads.

AfCFTA is a flagship project of Agenda 2063 of the African Union — Africa’s own development vision.

It was approved by the 18th ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2012 which adopted the decision to establish a Continental Free Trade Area.

This initiative whose immediate implementation would provide quick wins, impact socio-economic development and enhance confidence and the commitment of Africans as the owners and drivers of Agenda 2063.

The AfCFTA aims at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations.

As at February 2021, 36 countries have deposited their instruments of ratification, and 36 countries have ratified the AfCFTA agreement.