PODCAST | 09 October 2025 Balancing Gains and Pains, Practical Realities and Support Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Insights and Events > Africa Trade: Balancing Gains and Pains, Practical Realities and Support SHARE AfCFTA Series | Episode 06 Balancing gains and pains: the on-the-ground realities and practical support. How do African businesses turn a trade vision into a profitable reality? This final, action-oriented episode focuses on the on-the-ground realities of AfCFTA implementation, addressing critical challenges and detailing the practical support available to businesses, particularly SMMEs. Absa Corporate Investment Bank · Africa Trade: Balancing Gains and Pains, Practical Realities and Support Featured guest Francois Fouche Research Fellow at the Centre for African Management and Markets, GIBS Irene Kabiri Corporate Banking Director, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, Uganda Irene Kabiri: "We see ourselves as a partner, not just a bank, in helping these businesses bridge the gaps and seize the incredible opportunities that the AfCFTA presents." Irene Mutyaba Kabiri, Corporate Banking Director, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, Uganda Francois Fouche: “Comprehensive support for SMMEs is critical, Irene. They are the backbone of most African economies, and their successful integration into the AfCFTA is paramount.” Francois Fouche, Research Fellow at the Centre for African Management and Markets, GIBS Related Podcasts Episode 5 More than just tariffs: unlocking opportunities in services and investment. Ready to move beyond borders? This episode dives deep into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), exploring the immense opportunities in services and investment that extend far beyond simple import tariff reductions over the next decade. Absa Group AfCFTA Series Africa Trade: More Than Just Tariffs, Unlocking Opportunities More than just tariffs: unlocking opportunities in services and investment. Ready to move beyond borders? This episode dives deep into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), exploring the immense opportunities in services and investment that extend far beyond simple import tariff reductions over the next decade. Episode 4 Navigating the new trade deal. Ready to unlock a market of 1.3 billion people? This foundational episode of "Africa Trade Unlocked" is your essential guide to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), often hailed as the world's largest free trade area since the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Absa Group AfCFTA Series Navigating the New Africa Trade Deal Navigating the new trade deal. Ready to unlock a market of 1.3 billion people? This foundational episode of "Africa Trade Unlocked" is your essential guide to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), often hailed as the world's largest free trade area since the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Episode 3 Boitumelo Thoka, Michelle Knowles and Francois Fouche Head of Distribution, Syndication and Insurance Products: Trade and Working Capital at Absa CIB, Head of Trade & Working Capital Product at Absa Group and Gordon Institute of Business Science Absa Group AfCFTA Series How The AfCFTA will enable digital trade In this podcast, we explore the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s protocol on digital trade. What will it mean for cross-border trade, and what do African businesses need to know?
