African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to expand beyond their domestic markets can now apply for TradeRoots Africa, an initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Centre of Entrepreneurship designed to help businesses become export-ready and compete more effectively across African and international markets.

The programme is particularly focused on helping African SMEs navigate the practical challenges associated with regional and international trade, including export compliance, trade documentation, market access, digital trade, logistics, customs, trade finance, mentorship and business development.

Applications for TradeRoots Africa are currently open, with the application deadline set for 15 October 2026. The programme is scheduled to officially launch in November 2026 and continue through August 2027.

What Is TradeRoots Africa?

TradeRoots Africa is an SME-focused trade development programme established by the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship to help African businesses translate regional and continental trade opportunities into practical business growth.

The initiative was launched at the 2025 B20 Summit in South Africa and is designed around the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

Rather than focusing only on theoretical knowledge about international trade, TradeRoots Africa takes a practical approach. The programme aims to help participating businesses develop the knowledge, capabilities, connections and resources needed to move towards actual export activity.

According to the ICC, African SMEs represent approximately 90% of businesses on the continent and employ around 70% of the workforce, yet fewer than 20% formally export. The programme therefore seeks to address some of the barriers preventing otherwise viable African businesses from accessing regional and international markets.

Why TradeRoots Africa Was Created

Expanding a business into another country can involve considerably more than simply finding international customers.

African SMEs can face multiple interconnected barriers when attempting to enter regional and global markets. These include:

• High costs associated with international trade.
• Complex regulatory and customs requirements.
• Limited access to digital trade tools.
• Infrastructure constraints.
• Difficulty accessing appropriate financing.
• Limited knowledge of export procedures.
• Challenges understanding regional and international markets.
• Limited access to potential buyers and business networks.

The ICC notes that these challenges are interconnected, meaning that addressing one obstacle in isolation may not be sufficient to turn an SME into a successful exporter.

TradeRoots Africa therefore brings several forms of support together in a structured programme intended to take participating businesses from foundational trade knowledge towards export acceleration.

The Six Key Pillars of TradeRoots Africa

TradeRoots Africa is structured around six major areas of support. Together, these pillars are intended to provide participating SMEs with practical capabilities for regional and international trade.

1. Trade Knowledge and Market Access

Businesses will receive support in understanding trade requirements and identifying opportunities to access markets beyond their domestic market.

This pillar is particularly important for SMEs that may have a product or service with growth potential but lack sufficient knowledge of export procedures, market requirements and regional trade opportunities.

2. Trade Finance

Access to finance can be an important factor in a company’s ability to enter new markets.

TradeRoots Africa incorporates trade finance into its support framework, helping businesses develop greater readiness around financing requirements associated with international trade.

3. Logistics, Customs and Air Transport

Cross-border trade requires businesses to understand how goods move between markets and how customs and logistical processes affect exports.

The programme therefore includes logistics, customs and air transport as one of its six central pillars.

4. Digital Trade Tools

Digital technologies are increasingly important for businesses seeking customers and opportunities beyond their domestic markets.

TradeRoots Africa includes digital trade tools among its core areas of support, with later programme activities also focusing on e-commerce and related digital capabilities.

5. Mentorship

Participating SMEs will have access to mentorship as part of the programme’s broader support ecosystem.

Mentorship can provide businesses with practical guidance as they work through trade-related challenges and develop their internationalisation strategies.

6. Business Development

The programme also focuses on business development, helping participating SMEs strengthen their commercial readiness and move towards concrete market opportunities.

These six pillars collectively form the foundation of the TradeRoots Africa SME support system.

How the TradeRoots Africa Programme Works

TradeRoots Africa is organised into three progressive tiers.

The structure means that participation can develop from foundational trade education to more specialised support and ultimately to export acceleration.

Tier 1: Trade Foundations

Period: November 2026 – March 2027

The first tier is designed to establish the fundamental knowledge SMEs need before entering regional and international markets.

The ICC states that 1,000 SMEs will participate in this stage.

Participants will learn about areas including:

• Export compliance.
• Trade documentation.
• AfCFTA.
• Regional trade fundamentals.
• Other foundational aspects of exporting.

The training will be delivered through a combination of:

• Virtual and blended webinars.
• Practical sessions.
• Capacity-building activities.

The programme identifies Modules 1–14 as part of this foundational stage.

For SMEs that are still developing their understanding of international trade, this first tier provides an opportunity to strengthen the foundational knowledge required to operate across borders.

Tier 2: Digital and Sector Skills

Period: April – June 2027

The second tier moves beyond basic trade foundations and focuses on more advanced capabilities.

The programme expects 200 SMEs to participate at this stage.

Businesses selected for Tier 2 will receive support in areas including:

• E-commerce.
• Sustainability-related trade.
• Trade finance.
• Market adaptation.
• Regional and trade-corridor bootcamps.
• Targeted technical support.
• Mentorship.
• Buyer connections.
• Digital trade readiness.
• Trade finance readiness workshops.

Modules 16–19 are identified for this stage, alongside additional technical and business support activities.

This stage is particularly relevant to SMEs that have progressed beyond basic export knowledge and are looking to develop more specialised capabilities for entering or expanding within regional markets.

Tier 3: Export Acceleration

Period: July–August 2027

The third tier focuses on turning export readiness into practical commercial opportunities.

The programme expects 50 SMEs to participate at this stage.

Businesses reaching Tier 3 will receive support related to:

• Developing export plans.
• Accessing new markets.
• Securing trade finance.
• Transaction support.
• Buyer engagement.
• Trade finance facilitation.
• One-to-one sessions.
• Continued business development.

The ICC specifically identifies Module 18 on transaction support as part of this stage.

Important Progression Requirement

An important point for prospective applicants is that the three tiers are not presented as separate, independent opportunities.

The ICC states that only SMEs that participate in Tier 1 are eligible for Tier 2 and Tier 3.

This means that SMEs interested in progressing to the more advanced digital, sector-specific and export acceleration support should understand that participation begins with the foundational stage.

Who Is TradeRoots Africa For?

TradeRoots Africa is designed for African small and medium-sized enterprises that have potential to scale across African markets.

The programme specifically seeks a balanced cohort comprising:

1. Emerging SMEs
2. Growth-stage businesses
3. Established SMEs

The common factor is the potential for these businesses to expand and scale across African markets.

This means the opportunity is not limited exclusively to newly established businesses. More established SMEs can also be considered where they demonstrate the potential to expand across African markets.

TradeRoots Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area

A significant component of the programme is its connection to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

AfCFTA is referenced by the ICC as one of the key frameworks within which TradeRoots Africa will help SMEs become export-ready.

The programme also considers the role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), recognising that African businesses can operate within both continental and regional trade frameworks.

For SMEs, understanding these frameworks can be important when considering expansion into markets beyond their home country.

TradeRoots Africa therefore seeks to make trade policy more practical for businesses by connecting knowledge of continental and regional trade arrangements with practical capabilities such as export compliance, documentation, market access, logistics, digital trade and finance.

What Businesses Can Gain From TradeRoots Africa

The programme provides several potential areas of development for participating SMEs.

Export Readiness

One of the central objectives is to help businesses become better prepared for exporting.

This includes understanding export compliance and documentation, as well as gaining knowledge of regional trade requirements.

Market Access

Businesses can develop greater awareness of opportunities to access regional and international markets.

Later programme activities also include buyer connections and market adaptation support.

Trade Finance Readiness

TradeRoots Africa incorporates trade finance into its support framework, including dedicated trade finance readiness workshops and facilitation during the export acceleration stage.

Digital Business Capabilities

Businesses participating in later stages can develop capabilities relating to digital trade and e-commerce.

These skills can be particularly relevant to SMEs seeking to reach customers and commercial partners beyond their traditional geographic markets.

Mentorship and Technical Support

Participants can benefit from mentorship and targeted technical support as they develop their trade capabilities.

Buyer Connections

The programme’s advanced stages include buyer connections and buyer engagement, creating opportunities for participating businesses to move beyond training towards practical commercial relationships.

Export Planning

At the export acceleration stage, selected SMEs will work on export plans and receive support related to entering new markets.

These components demonstrate that TradeRoots Africa is structured around progression from learning and capacity building towards practical export activity.

TradeRoots Africa 2026–2027 Timeline

Applicants should take note of the programme’s key dates.

Programme Stage	Period	Expected Participation
Applications	Open until 15 October 2026	—
Programme launch	November 2026	—
Tier 1: Trade Foundations	November 2026 – March 2027	1,000 SMEs
Tier 2: Digital and Sector Skills	April – June 2027	200 SMEs
Tier 3: Export Acceleration	July – August 2027	50 SMEs

The programme is scheduled to run from November 2026 through August 2027.

TradeRoots Africa Application Deadline

The application deadline is

15 October 2026

The ICC states that applications are currently open until 15 October and that the programme will officially launch in November 2026.

Prospective applicants should therefore prepare their applications before the stated deadline rather than waiting until the final day.

How to Apply for TradeRoots Africa

Interested businesses can apply through the official TradeRoots Africa application channel provided by the International Chamber of Commerce.

Application deadline: 15 October 2026

Applicants should review the official programme information and entry criteria carefully before submitting their application.

APPLY HERE

Who Qualifies for TradeRoots Africa?

Based on the information provided by the ICC, the opportunity is intended for:

• African SMEs.
• Emerging SMEs.
• Growth-stage businesses.
• Established SMEs.
• Businesses with strong potential to scale across African markets.
• Businesses interested in becoming export-ready and accessing regional or international markets.

The ICC’s stated target is therefore business-based rather than framed around an individual’s academic qualifications, professional degree, age or race. The supplied source does not specify a particular race-based eligibility requirement, nor does it provide a detailed country-by-country eligibility list. It describes the programme broadly as supporting SMEs across Africa.
Prospective applicants should therefore rely on the official entry criteria and application form for the specific requirements applicable to their business.

African Countries and Continent Eligibility

TradeRoots Africa is presented as a programme for SMEs across Africa, with the stated objective of helping African businesses compete regionally and globally.

The ICC’s programme information references participation through its network of national committees and African chambers. The listed partners include organisations connected with countries including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco and South Africa, among others.

However, the supplied source does not provide an exhaustive list of every eligible African country. Therefore, applicants from African countries should check the official application requirements to determine whether their particular business meets the programme’s entry criteria.

Who Should Consider Applying?

TradeRoots Africa may be particularly relevant to SMEs that:

• Have ambitions to expand beyond their domestic market.
• Are interested in regional African trade.
• Want to understand AfCFTA opportunities.
• Need stronger knowledge of export compliance.
• Want to improve their trade documentation capabilities.
• Are exploring e-commerce and digital trade.
• Need greater awareness of trade finance.
• Want to identify new buyers or markets.
• Are developing an export strategy.
• Have products or services with potential for regional expansion.
• Want mentorship and technical support related to international trade.
• Are seeking to build stronger business development capabilities.

The programme’s three-tier structure means businesses at different stages of development can potentially engage with the programme, while the later tiers are reserved for SMEs that have participated in Tier 1.

Who May Not Benefit From the Programme?

The ICC page includes a section titled “This programme is NOT for you if”, but the supplied source extract does not provide the detailed conditions listed under that heading.

For that reason, prospective applicants should not assume additional exclusion criteria that are not stated in the available source. Businesses should review the complete official entry criteria before applying.

TradeRoots Africa Partners

The programme is supported through a broader network involving the ICC’s global network, ICC national committees and African chambers.

The source identifies partners and organisations including:

• Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO).
• Trade Law Centre (tralac).
• AfriLabs.
• ICC Ghana.
• ICC Kenya.
• ICC Nigeria.
• Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
• Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
• Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
• South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic).
• ICC Morocco.

These partnerships form part of the ecosystem supporting TradeRoots Africa.

Why Export Readiness Matters for African SMEs

For a business seeking to expand internationally, export readiness involves more than having a product that can be sold in another country.

A business may also need to understand:

• Applicable trade rules.
• Export documentation.
• Customs procedures.
• Logistics.
• Market requirements.
• Digital tools.
• Financing options.
• Potential buyers.
• Regional trade arrangements.
• Business adaptation requirements.

TradeRoots Africa brings many of these areas together within one programme.

Its approach is therefore designed to help SMEs move through a progression: first developing foundational knowledge, then building more specialised capabilities, and finally working towards practical export opportunities.

Visit HERE for more information about the TradeRoots Africa 2026–2027.

Frequently Asked Questions About TradeRoots Africa

What is TradeRoots Africa?

TradeRoots Africa is an initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce Centre of Entrepreneurship designed to help African SMEs become export-ready and access regional and global markets.

When does TradeRoots Africa start?

The programme is scheduled to officially launch in November 2026.

When does the programme end?

The programme is scheduled to run through August 2027.

What is the application deadline?

Applications are open until 15 October 2026.

How many SMEs will participate?

The programme is structured to reach approximately 1,000 SMEs in Tier 1, 200 SMEs in Tier 2, and 50 SMEs in Tier 3.

Can an SME join Tier 2 directly?

The ICC states that only SMEs that have participated in Tier 1 are eligible for Tier 2 and Tier 3.

What areas does the programme cover?

The six main pillars are:

1. Trade knowledge and market access.
2. Trade finance.
3. Logistics, customs and air transport.
4. Digital trade tools.
5. Mentorship.
6. Business development.

Is TradeRoots Africa only for startups?

No. The programme seeks a balanced cohort of emerging SMEs, growth-stage businesses and established SMEs with potential to scale across African markets.

Is the programme focused on Africa?

Yes. TradeRoots Africa is designed to support SMEs across Africa and focuses on regional and continental trade, including opportunities associated with AfCFTA and Regional Economic Communities.

Does the source specify a particular race requirement?

No. The supplied ICC information does not identify a race-based eligibility requirement. Eligibility is described in terms of African SMEs and business characteristics.

Does the source provide a complete list of eligible countries?

No. The supplied information describes the programme as supporting SMEs across Africa but does not provide a complete country-by-country eligibility list.

Key Details at a Glance

Opportunity: TradeRoots Africa

Organisation: International Chamber of Commerce Centre of Entrepreneurship

Opportunity category: SME trade development and export-readiness programme

Target participants: African SMEs

Business stages: Emerging, growth-stage, and established SMEs

Geographic focus: Africa

Key trade frameworks: African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)

Application deadline: 15 October 2026

Programme launch: November 2026

Programme end: August 2027

Tier 1: Trade Foundations — November 2026 to March 2027

Tier 2: Digital and Sector Skills — April to June 2027

Tier 3: Export Acceleration — July to August 2027

Tier 1 target: 1,000 SMEs

Tier 2 target: 200 SMEs

Tier 3 target: 50 SMEs

Main areas: Trade knowledge, market access, trade finance, logistics, customs, air transport, digital trade, mentorship and business development.

Conclusion

TradeRoots Africa presents a structured opportunity for African SMEs seeking to strengthen their ability to participate in regional and international trade. Rather than focusing exclusively on classroom-based training, the programme combines foundational trade knowledge with digital and sector-specific skills, mentorship, technical support, buyer connections, trade finance readiness and export acceleration.

The programme is built around a three-stage progression beginning with Trade Foundations, moving into Digital and Sector Skills, and culminating in Export Acceleration for a smaller group of participating SMEs. Importantly, SMEs must participate in Tier 1 to become eligible for the subsequent tiers.

With applications open until 15 October 2026 and the programme scheduled to begin in November 2026, African SMEs interested in expanding into regional and global markets can review the official eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the ICC’s designated application platform.

For businesses seeking to understand AfCFTA and regional trade opportunities while developing practical export capabilities, TradeRoots Africa provides a structured pathway from trade readiness towards potential market expansion.

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