MSMEs, value chains and trade development in Southern Africa Case studies from selected countries

Abstract

The present study, analyze how Southern African micro-, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) are using innovations and technologies to integrate themselves into value chains and better utilize trade agreements. The countries analyzed and visited were Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia. The research methodology included desk research and data analysis, as well as the gathering of evidence through country missions for the purpose of holding discussions and interviews with important stakeholders (from both the public and private sectors) in each of these countries. Divided into five sections, the present report contains a comprehensive review of the MSME landscape in Southern Africa and numerous examples of MSMEs in the six targeted countries, each of which illustrate how innovations and technologies are being used by firms to participate in subregional and global value chains and to utilize the trade agreements to which these countries are parties, such as the agreements establishing the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area.