Central Africa’s SMEs Are Ready to Scale, But Scale Requires Structure

Call for Application ECCAS Services
The Economic Community of Central African States Services Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre, is calling on high-potential service SMEs in Central Africa to apply for structured export-readiness and regional expansion support.
With the deadline extended to March 2, 2026, eligible companies in transport, IT, and tourism across Cameroon, Chad, CAR, and Equatorial Guinea can access strategic coaching, export planning, and B2B opportunities to scale under the AfCFTA framework.
Alida
Ebo'o

A 1.3 billion person market is now theoretically within reach of every African entrepreneur.

Yet for many SMEs in Central Africa, continental opportunity still feels distant.

Not because they lack ambition.
Not because they lack innovation.

But because scaling across borders requires more than access. It requires structure.

The African Continental Free Trade Area has created possibility.
 Execution is now the real challenge.

The Missing Link Between Local Success and Regional Expansion

Across Central Africa, service-based SMEs are building resilient and dynamic businesses. Road freight operators are connecting domestic corridors. Tech startups are developing digital payment systems, SaaS platforms, and BPO services. Tourism companies are curating cultural, eco and business travel experiences.

Yet when it comes to expanding beyond national borders, many entrepreneurs face the same barrier.
They are capable, but not fully export ready.
Cross-border growth requires:

  • Clear market prioritization
  • Strategic positioning
  • Operational export planning
  • Understanding of regulatory environments
  • Access to qualified buyers and partners

  • Structured guidance and accountability

    Without these elements, growth remains largely domestic even when regional demand exists.
     

Why Central Africa Is a Strategic Services Frontier

Much of Africa’s entrepreneurship narrative highlights West and East Africa. Central Africa is less frequently discussed, yet the region holds significant untapped potential in services trade.

  • Transport and logistics services are essential to regional integration, particularly road freight, cross-border cargo handling, and supply chain coordination.
  • Digital and IT services including software development, fintech solutions, outsourcing and business process services are increasingly borderless by nature.
  • Tourism operators, destination management companies, and travel platforms have strong potential to scale regionally through curated cross-border experiences.
     

With AfCFTA and ECCAS frameworks progressively lowering barriers, the ecosystem must now equip SMEs to operate at scale.
The opportunity is real. What is needed is structured preparation.

A Practical Response: The ECCAS Services Programme

To bridge this gap, the The Capacity Building Program for Trade in Services in Central Africa  (ECCAS Services), funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre, has launched a Call for Applications targeting high export potential service SMEs.

Priority sectors:

  • Transport and Logistics (with emphasis on road transport)
  • IT Services / Tech Startups (including BPO)
  • Tourism

Phase 1 countries

  • Cameroon
  • Chad
  • Central African Republic
  • Equatorial Guinea
     

Selected SMEs will benefit from structured and practical internationalization support including:
 

  • Development of a concrete and operational Export Business Plan
  • Personalized strategic coaching
  • Qualified B2B meetings with buyers and partners
  • Participation in regional and international trade missions
  • Visibility through a regional directory shared with investors and ecosystem stakeholders
     

This is not a grant programme. It is a capability building and execution pathway designed to move SMEs from ambition to structured regional expansion.
 

Who Should Apply

Eligible companies must:

  • Be legally registered
  • Be commercially active and generating revenue
  • Demonstrate a clear ambition to expand regionally or continentally

Priority consideration is given to youth and women entrepreneurs.

Deadline Extended

To allow more high potential SMEs to participate, the application deadline has been extended to:

March 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM local time

 

Application links:

French: https://forms.gle/a2njDjLXSfxR7n4h7

English: https://forms.gle/4H726a6K3naam2od6

For questions or additional information, applicants may contact:

Ms. Cathy Sall (csall@intracen.org)

 

AfCFTA opened the door.

Now the question is whether Central Africa’s SMEs are equipped to walk through it with a strategy.

The region does not lack talent.

What it needs are structured pathways to scale.

This programme is one of them.

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