PROMOTING SME COMPETITIVENESS IN FRANCOPHONE AFRICA.

One in three companies in French-speaking Africa is in a difficult financial position, according to ITC research. While it is evident that their financial situation is closely tied to their economic performance, evidence shows that their growth rests on access to finance. Yet one fourth of applications in the region are rejected, most of them owing to insufficient collateral or to a high risk of default. Moreover, the joint survey with the Permanent Conference of African and Francophone Consular Chambers...