A three-day consultation took place in Dakar, Senegal from 18 -20 August 2021 where 50 business owners from across Africa discussed with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) how to reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade (AfCFTA). The consultation aimed at providing key recommendations for the trade sector which is essential for the implementation of the AfCFTA while supporting African economies, building the capacities of Africa's small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing the participation of diverse stakeholders, and digitalising operations to help them lead economic reforms. 'The meeting will offer the opportunity for MSMEs to reap the benefits of some of the work ECA is doing on MSME digitalization and a digital application it is developing to help monitor and correct remarks capable of negatively impacting AfCFTA implementation,' highlighted  African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) Director Ms Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane.