67CEOs Foundation will this year host its 3rd annual Global Entrepreneurship Week, under the theme "Advancing Market Access”. The theme was selected as a result of disruptive innovations which are transforming Africa’s economic potential, creating new target markets and unprecedented consumer choice. Capitalising on these potential opportunities requires complete reconsideration of customer engagement and business development strategies, which need to focus on  how Small, Medium & Micro Enterprise Businesses (SMMEs) can ride the wave. The National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 advocates for stronger public and private sector resourcing and investment in the country’s SMME. Complexity of standards and compliance pose difficulties to rural and local SMMEs access to market. 67CEOs GEW2019 sponsored by Exxaro Resources will see the convergence of relevant stakeholders offering their expertise and network in the spirit of advancing access to markets for SMMEs.

One of the key focus areas for this year’s GEW2019 by 67CEOs is how South African SMMEs can benefit immensely from African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, thus paving the way for accelerating the establishment of the Customs Union. The GEW2019 is a great platform for SMMEs to highlight beneficiation according to NPD 2030 and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act.

AfCFTA is also expected to enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through exploitation of opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better reallocation of resources.

We strongly believe  that  SMMEs  have  the  potential  to  create  more  jobs,  continue  to contribute  to  local  and  national  economic  growth  when  adequately  supported through public-private partnerships (PPP) and actively take advantage of continental policy and technology development to accelerate access to markets.

67CEOs GEW2019 will bring together  a  diverse  group  of  people  to  celebrate  the entrepreneurial  spirit  and  learn  from  each  other’s  successes  and  failures.  Entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs, giving  newcomers  a  roadmap  to  navigate  the complex  ecosystem  of  access  to  markets,  funding,  talent  and  building  a  business, along with an invaluable network of a community of support as characterised by previous GEWs.

67CEOs GEW2019 will run in 3 regions with pre-GEW activities and the official launch in Lephalale, Limpopo Province on the 12 November 2019 until the 13 November. In the Mpumalanga region, there will be a 2-day programme, event dates are 18 and 19 November. The Gauteng Province will be the final stop, and will run for 3 days, starting from 21 to 23 November. On the third day, we will host a mini regional pitch fest whereby the overall winner from Limpopo and Mpumalanga will compete with Gauteng overall winner for a bigger grant funding and other benefits. 67CEOs GEW2019 will conclude by seeing selected SMMEs exhibiting their products to the public on the last day - The Market Day, 23 November 2019.

Admission to the events is free, delegates are invited to RSVP online at www.67ceos.org.

About Exxaro

In November 2006, Kumba Resources Limited unbundled and Kumba’s coal and other assets merged with Eyesizwe Coal to create Exxaro Resources Limited. Exxaro has since grown to become one of the largest and foremost black-empowered diversified mining companies in South Africa. Exxaro has an asset portfolio, which includes coal operations and investments in iron ore, residual pigment manufacturing, renewable energy (wind), and base metals. Exxaro aims to power better lives in Africa and beyond by responsibly investing in commodities that will sustain life on the continent. The company’s growth and innovation trajectory position it to be a source of endless possibilities. In the last decade, Exxaro has established itself as an organisation that is respected by its peers for its innovation, ethics, and integrity, and has been recognised as a leading performer in the FTSE Russel ESG Index.

www.exxaro.com

About 67CEOs

At 67CEOs™ Foundation NPC (2018/343943/08), we Inspire Possibility Thinking in young people. We convene CEOs to mentor, educate, inspire and invest in young people, startup entrepreneurs and SMMEs. CEOs volunteer their time, expertise and resources as a form of their individual social responsibilities through active participation in our programmes. Our programmes are educational, socio-economic and enterprise development inclined.

Our Vision

To achieve massive inclusion of young entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy through mentorship, entrepreneurship education and enterprise development programmes.