The Southern African Times has today premiered its exclusive interview with Tsonam Akpeloo, Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries for Greater Accra and Chief Executive Officer of Suku Technologies, in a timely discussion centred on the future of African small and medium-sized enterprises.
Now live on our YouTube platform, the conversation interrogates a pressing continental question: are African SMEs adequately prepared for an increasingly integrated, digital and competitive marketplace under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Akpeloo argues that digitisation is no longer a strategic advantage but a prerequisite for survival. With SMEs forming the backbone of most African economies, he contends that failure to adopt digital tools, fintech systems and e commerce infrastructure risks marginalising businesses that already operate within constrained policy and capital environments.
Drawing from his leadership within Ghana’s foremost industrial body, he reflects on the structural pressures facing manufacturers and local producers, particularly in sectors such as fashion and light industry. The discussion addresses the distortions created by second hand imports, the persistent informality within SME ecosystems, and the policy inconsistencies that often undermine industrial competitiveness.
Beyond Ghana, the interview situates these challenges within the broader AfCFTA framework. Akpeloo outlines the opportunities presented by intra African trade, while cautioning that tariff liberalisation alone will not guarantee success. Regulatory harmonisation, digital trade infrastructure, logistics reform and access to affordable finance, he argues, are equally critical.
He further explores the role of technology platforms in bridging fragmentation across African markets. Through initiatives aimed at enabling digital trade and SME onboarding, the conversation highlights how coordinated private sector innovation can complement public policy objectives.
The interview also considers the evolving responsibilities of business associations across the continent. As trade blocs deepen integration, industry bodies are increasingly required to move beyond advocacy towards structured collaboration, cross border partnerships and data driven engagement with policymakers.
For investors, policymakers and members of the African diaspora, the discussion offers practical insight into where competitive advantage may lie over the next decade. The question, as framed in the interview, is not simply whether African SMEs can survive, but whether they can scale.
The full interview is now available to watch here:
Readers are encouraged to join the discussion and subscribe for further in depth conversations examining the policies, capital flows and technological shifts shaping Africa’s economic trajectory.
