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He said that the theme of the Conference resonated with AU Agenda 2063 and that realizing the full potential of the AfCFTA and the opportunities it presents for the people of Africa requires concerted effort to fully harness the opportunities. [...] Ojakol emphasized the political will and commitment of African Heads of State and Government, to the fast pace of establishing and implementing the AfCFTA, and the interest it garnered from the private sector. [...] Specific strategies are the inclusion of Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade within the scope of the AfCFTA Agreement, to protect and nurture African innovation and creativity and the levelling of the playing field to enable small businesses to compete with more established and larger ones. [...] She highlighted the significance of digital marketing and the utilization of widely accessible social media tools to enhance the visibility and reach of SMEs in the context of intra-African trade. [...] The session underscored the imperative of technological innovation for business sustainability in the context of AfCFTA and advocated for collaborative efforts to harness the power of innovation and technology effectively.