On 21st November 2012 in London, a forum on “Financing SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa” was held by the Business Council for Africa with support from the Africa Trade and Investment Company Foundation (AFTIC).
James Friedlander, a partner in the investment practice of Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law, made a presentation on the challenge for SMEs accessing capital for the development and expansion of their businesses. In his presentation James spoke about the many difficulties SMEs present to prospective investors, and why the number of SMEs suitable for financing is small and not growing.
The forum aimed to create meaningful partnerships both in Europe and Africa between financiers, professionals and investors to build a larger investment base of SME opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa.