The ICC TradeRoots Africa Programme, led by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Centre of Entrepreneurship, is designed to help African SMEs build the knowledge, tools, connections and capabilities needed to expand into African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

The programme will support 1,000 SMEs through its first tier and provide a structured pathway from export readiness to concrete market opportunities, trade finance and export transactions. 

What the Programme Offers

TradeRoots Africa is built around six practical support pillars:

• Trade Knowledge & Market Access – export-readiness assessments, trade knowledge, webinars, bootcamps and targeted capacity building.
• Trade Finance – connections with banks, fintechs and trade-finance institutions to help finance-ready SMEs progress towards transactions.
• Logistics, Customs & Air Transport – practical support and partner networks to make cross-border trade easier and more affordable.
• Digital Trade – digital tools, e-commerce platforms and payment solutions to support market discovery and transactions.
• Mentorship – access to experienced business leaders and practitioners through ICC's network.
• Business Development – support to strengthen business models, commercial strategy, market positioning and sustainable growth. 

Three-Tier Export Journey

Tier 1 – Trade Foundations
November 2026 – March 2027

Up to 1,000 SMEs will build their export-readiness capabilities through virtual/blended learning, practical sessions and capacity-building activities covering areas such as export compliance, documentation, AfCFTA and regional trade.

Tier 2 – Digital & Sector Skills
April – June 2027

Up to 200 SMEs from Tier 1 will receive more advanced support covering areas such as e-commerce, sustainability, trade finance and market adaptation, alongside regional/corridor bootcamps, mentorship and buyer connections.

Tier 3 – Export Acceleration
July – August 2027

Up to 50 SMEs from the earlier tiers will receive more targeted support to develop export plans, identify market opportunities, engage buyers and progress towards trade transactions and trade-finance access. 

Who Can Apply?

TradeRoots Africa is designed for African-owned SMEs that:

• Are majority African-owned.
• Are formally registered and legally operating in an AfCFTA State Party.
• Have been trading for at least 24 months.
• Have annual turnover of more than US$5,000. There is no upper turnover limit.
• Have a product or service that is ready to export, rather than only an early-stage business idea.
• Have a clear target export market, country or trade corridor in mind.
• Are interested in expanding across African markets.
• Are willing to participate in the programme activities and complete the required practical work.
• Have an active digital presence through an e-commerce platform, online marketplace or social-commerce channel.
• Have a business owner or senior manager who will personally participate in the programme.
• Can commit approximately 2 hours per week to the online modules during Tier 1. ICC - International Chamber of Commerce

Priority Countries

The programme's application page identifies the following priority countries:

Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda.

The current ICC programme information also states that businesses registered and legally operating in an AfCFTA State Party can apply. The wider eligible AfCFTA country list includes countries such as Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others. I

Important Programme Note

TradeRoots Africa is an export-readiness and trade development programme, not a grant or loan programme. Its support is centred on building export capabilities and connecting participating SMEs with markets, buyers, trade-finance institutions, digital trade tools and business networks.

Programme Timeline

Applications open: 1 September 2026
Application deadline: 15 October 2026
Selection: October 2026
Acceptance notifications: 23 October 2026
Programme launch: 2 November 2026
Tier 1: November 2026 – March 2027
Tier 2: April – June 2027
Tier 3: July – August 2027

Application

Application: https://events2go.iccwbo.org/event/traderoots-africa-registration

Registration takes approximately 10 minutes.