SMEs & INNOVATION: Pillars of Sovereignty
The Agency for the Development and Support of Small and Medium Enterprises (ADEPME) is organizing the 4th edition of the Senegalese SME Forum, a major event dedicated to the structuring, competitiveness, and sustainability of national SMEs.
📅 Dates: February 18–20, 2025
📍 Venues: Grand Théâtre National & Museum of Black Civilizations, Dakar
📏 Area: Over 6,000 m²
This forum serves as a strategic platform for meetings and exchanges between public and private decision-makers, aiming to foster structured partnerships and propose concrete solutions for strengthening the Senegalese entrepreneurial ecosystem.
🔹 Key Figures
✔️ 500 exhibitors
✔️ 24 workshops & masterclasses
✔️ 10,000 expected visitors
✔️ B2B sessions
✔️ 8 economic hubs represented
🔹 A Forum Full of Opportunities
🎤 Conferences & Panels
Insights from national and international experts on key SME issues.
📚 Workshops & Masterclasses
Practical sessions to enhance managerial and operational skills.
🤝 B2B Meetings
Exclusive networking opportunities with investors, financial institutions, and strategic partners.
🏆 Exhibition Space
Showcasing solutions and services dedicated to SMEs.
🌍 Focus on the 8 Economic Hubs
Senegal has identified eight territorial hubs to promote balanced and sustainable development. This approach aims to strengthen industry, agriculture, tourism, and the exploitation of natural resources while ensuring better economic integration of the regions.
The dedicated exhibition will:
🔹 Highlight the national development strategy
🔹 Showcase the economic potential of each region
🔹 Offer visitors an immersive experience in Senegal’s economic transformation
Organizer
Agency for the Development and Support of Small and Medium Enterprises (ADEPME)
The Agency for the Development and Support of Small and Medium Enterprises (ADEPME) is a public administrative institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Creation and Legal Framework
ADEPME was established by Decree No. 2001-682 of September 5, 2001, replacing the Economic Promotion Fund (FPE) to better structure support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Senegal. It serves as the State’s primary tool for SME support and the implementation of public policies in favor of the private sector.
Missions and Strategic Pillars
The Agency supports SME development and competitiveness through several key areas:
🔹 Financial Support for SMEs
- Facilitating access to bank loans
- Connecting SMEs with financial institutions
- Promoting innovative financing mechanisms
🔹 Capacity Building
- Organizing tailored training programs
- Providing technical support for entrepreneurs
- Offering tools to improve business management and productivity
🔹 Support for Innovation and Digital Transformation
- Encouraging the adoption of digital technologies
- Promoting innovative practices to enhance SME competitiveness
🔹 Improvement of the Business Environment
- Contributing to the development of public policies
- Establishing measures that foster a favorable growth environment for SMEs
A Key Player in SME Development
Through its various initiatives, ADEPME plays a central role in the structuring and dynamism of Senegal’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting businesses towards sustainable and inclusive growth.
