How do we ensure African startups become export-ready, not just investment-ready

How do we shift African startups from being fundable to being globally scalable?

Many founders have access to pitch readiness, incubators, and innovation hubs but very few have access to export-enabling infrastructure, including:

Digital compliance & cross-border documentation

Supply chain visibility and fulfilment capability

AfCFTA-aligned market entry pathways

Data-driven financial reporting and traceability (required by global buyers)

If Trade & Market Access is going to unlock continental growth, should we be prioritizing:

Digital trade enablement tools for MSMEs (ERP/CRM lite, e-invoicing, digital tax compliance)

Regional trade corridors linked to startup hubs (so scale = movement, not just mentorship)

A shared export readiness framework for accelerators, investors, and governments?

Would love to hear perspectives from founders, ecosystem builders, and policymakers:

What are the biggest barriers you see for African startups entering cross-border o