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Kazeem Awojoodu
The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises(AAASME) has decried the Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks as reported in South Africa, describing it as setback for the growth of small scale businesses in the region.
This is as it mulled the idea of new offices in both Nairobi, Kenya,Harare in Zimbabwe and Houston, United States of America.
The idea formed part of the resolution of the 2026 Q2 Exco meeting.
The President of the Association, Dr. Ebiekure Eradiri who noted the contribution of the SMEs to the economic growth of the nation decried the reported Xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Eradiri submitted that regional growth should be of paramount concern to the stakeholders rather than ethnic segregation.
According to him, ‘The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises-(AAASME) strongly condemns the unfortunate Xenophobic/Afrophobic attacks on African Businesses by some unscrupulous South Africans in South Africa.
“To this end the AAASME Regional Vice President Dr.Shamiso Fred has been directed to issue press releases conveying AAASME position as well as engaging various media parley.
Consequently, following the situation in South Africa.
“Dr.Shamiso Fred is mandated to set up a special Desk office in Harare,Zimbabwe to access the impact of the Afrophobic/Xenophobic attacks on SMEs/Micro small businesses in South Africa.
‘The President of AAASME urges all SMEs across the continent to remain calm and lawful even in the face of obvious provocation over these Xenophobic/Afrophobic attacks which is clearly working at Cross purposes to Agenda 2063- #TheAfricawewant, AfCFTA amongst other flagship initiatives of the AU”
On the new office in Kenya and Houston, the Association commended the contribution of its Vice President Diaspora Engr.Dadiowei Kingsley Akpeti.
It called on AAASME Vice President East Africa Mr.Emmanuel Mutabazi to liaise with the Youth Envoy over new office set up in Nairobi while AAASME Deputy President Rose Mboya and Secretariat CEO Jacinta Kiruthi alongside other AAASME leaders would officially declare the office open at a convenient date.
Also, the President Dr.E.J.Eradiri has confirmed his availability to physically declare the Houston office open and charged the Vice President Diaspora to ensure all is in place.
Furthermore, Dr.Eradiri enjoined all SMEs in the continent to participate in the Upcoming Biashara Afrika@Lome,Togo organised by the AfCFTA Secretariat from May 18-20, 2026 as the business benefits are enormous.
