Speakers at the sustainability and inclusivity seminar at the recent Meetings Africa event identified the need for intra-continental and international collaboration to uplift small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The benefits of business events in facilitating networking and referrals for these businesses by sharing information and opportunities across borders were also highlighted.
Septi Bukula, Founder of Rendzo Network Management, a business acquisition and sharing network, emphasised the importance of opening up continental and international markets for SMEs.
The number-one issue for small business development was access to markets, explained Bukula.
During the seminar, Bukula announced Rendzo Network’s newest initiative, Tourism BRaIN (Business Referrals and Information Network), which will digitally bridge the gap between African travel and tourism SMEs and market opportunities to steer SME growth through business referrals and knowledge-sharing.
“We are taking our collaborative network continentally so we can collaborate in the area of cross-referring businesses. Across the continent, not just in South Africa, we will use this platform to refer businesses to do business across borders, share information such as tourism resources, support programmes and present a wide range of opportunities,” said Bukula.
