Trade experts and business leaders have called for enhanced market connectivity to support the growth of African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), emphasizing the need for better funding structures, retail linkages, and cross-border trade opportunities.
Their remarks came during the launch of the MABA Wholesale and Retail Store and the MABA Saturday Market in Lagos, an initiative spearheaded by Made-in-Africa Brands Ambassador (MABA) to boost visibility and global competitiveness of locally made African products.
Speaking at the event, Flora Mbeledeogu, Founder and CEO of MABA, highlighted how African SME products often remain unseen in mainstream retail, limiting their ability to compete globally. "The issue isn't quality—it's visibility and access," she stated.
To address this gap, Mbeledeogu explained that the newly launched MABA store functions as a central hub for over 10,000 products sourced from more than 1,000 small manufacturers across 30 African countries. These products include agricultural goods, FMCGs, skincare items, and natural foods, all produced by small businesses committed to quality and authenticity.
Read also,
"Our store is designed not just for local distribution but also for international exports," she said, adding that MABA's distribution network includes leading Nigerian supermarkets like Shoprite, Ebeano, and Jendol. "We're creating a pathway for African-made brands to appear on global shelves."
Mbeledeogu further emphasized the importance of standards compliance for SMEs looking to export, citing MABA's alignment with agencies such as NAFDAC, ISO, HACCP, and the U.S. FDA to ensure their products are "global-ready."
The goal, she said, is to expand intra-African trade, reduce dependence on imports, and offer small businesses a cooperative and structured approach to growth.
Backing this vision, Prof. Uchenna Uzo, Director at the Africa Retail Academy of Lagos Business School, stressed that SMEs need more support from both governments and financial institutions to overcome barriers to market access. He described the MABA store as a game-changing initiative that shows how infrastructure and coordination can help small businesses connect with consumers and scale sustainably.
"Many African SMEs produce great products, but market reach remains their biggest challenge. What MABA is doing is proving that access can be built," Prof. Uzo stated.
The MABA initiative represents a bold step toward transforming African small businesses from local producers into regional and global exporters—paving the way for a more inclusive and connected trade ecosystem.
