Invest In Africa launches online business directory for SME’s

Invest In Africa (IIA) has launched the African Partner Pool (APP), the first cross sector online business directory for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in Ghana.
The African Partner Pool (APP) is to simplify the local sourcing process by connecting Ghanaian SME’s with international and domestic companies.
Businesses in areas such as light industry, manufacturing, procurement and supply of logistics have been validated and registered to operate on the platform.
The APP makes it easy for multinationals to find quality local suppliers with proven track-record.
Local SMEs on this platform now have greater access to international companies on the APP and a diverse portfolio of business training opportunities.
SMEs registered on the APP would also be able to access tenders from multinationals on the platform.
Sam Brandful, IIA’s Ghana Country Manager told Citi Business News that APP has come at a time when the need to promote local content in all business facets is key.
‘It is our vision as IIA to facilitate growth and development of local businesses in Ghana by providing multinationals with details of accredited local companies.’
The directory is also to assist local suppliers promote their businesses and increase their ability to tender more competitively, accessing training and support from the African Development Bank.
Sam Brandful adds that IIA hopes to get almost all SME’s operating in the country on board.
“These companies by being on the platform will have credibility; they will also have access to tenders and procurement plans and will also have access to a training regime which we will be running in conjunction with African Development Bank. So there is a number of benefits that the companies will enjoy.”
Dr Kwesi Botchwey, Chairman of the National Planning Commission who launched the APP, said the IIA platform was great with tremendous potential to spur the development of SMEs and pledged support for it.
Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) speaking at the programme called on SMEs to register and get listed on the APP platform so as to benefit from the advantages that the platform offers.
The APP is to build capacity and grow local businesses of which a huge chunk are SME’s.
Already some 200 companies have registered on the platform while 240 are being processed to be enrolled on the platform.
By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citifmonline.com/Ghana