As a trusted ally of both SMEs and large companies across the continent, the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI) continues to play an increasingly vital role in enhancing their competitiveness. However, not all relevant stakeholders are fully aware of the extent of their contribution. It is therefore essential to disseminate this important information.
“According to experts,” says Dr. Guy Gweth, President of the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI), “our role in supporting both large and small businesses is evident. However, other stakeholders need to be aware of our contribution for their benefit.” Indeed, the ACCI’s contribution is based on its main statutory missions:
Multisectoral monitoring and competitive intelligence
24/7, the ACCI collects, processes, and analyzes information on African markets, competitors, opportunities, and threats. The intelligence reports produced enable African businesses to make informed decisions regarding strategy, marketing, and investments within Africa and beyond.
On a daily basis, the ACCI also identifies and maps key economic actors on the continent, including companies, investors, international organizations, research and development institutions, and influencers. The intelligence reports facilitate networking and collaboration among these different actors.
Internationally, the ACCI assesses risks and opportunities related to the global economic environment that African businesses are exposed to. The intelligence monographs and alerts generated in this regard help minimize risks and maximize chances of success.
Capacity building for businesses
Through its Joint Capacity Building Program for public and private decision-makers, developed in partnership with Knowdys Consulting Group and BVMW Afrika, the ACCI offers high-level training on sector monitoring, due diligence, corporate diplomacy, public decision influence, and competitive intelligence. This intensive and ongoing activity strengthens the capacity of African businesses to face international competition.
The ACCI also organizes workshops and seminars to raise awareness among African businesses about the importance of strategic monitoring and competitive intelligence, equipping them with the necessary tools to leverage these practices for competitiveness. The next step is the launch of an online learning platform to disseminate educational content on enhanced monitoring and competitive intelligence practices in Africa.
Support for the formulation of sector strategies
Upon client request or on its own initiative, the ACCI conducts diagnostics, analyses, and proposes innovative improvement ideas to inform the formulation of business strategies in African markets.
The Centre also provides practical, high-value counsel to African companies on how to position themselves in the global market and enhance their competitiveness in domestic markets.
Furthermore, upon request, the ACCI can provide its expertise in diagnostics, profiling, or intercultural communication during commercial negotiations to defend the interests of African businesses.
Promotion of public-private-associative dialogue
The ACCI regularly organizes major international events such as the Francophone Economic Intelligence Festival (FIEF) or the African Day of Economic Intelligence, bringing together stakeholders from the public, private, and associative sectors to discuss the challenges of African business competitiveness in the context of economic intelligence.
In doing so, the ACCI naturally and technically constitutes a platform for critical public-private-associative dialogue. The Centre effectively contributes to facilitating relationships among these different actors and finding solutions to their common challenges.
Observatory, alerts, research, and development
In addition to its main missions, the ACCI progressively acts as an observatory of African business competitiveness. This positioning will eventually enable the monitoring and evaluation of African companies’ performance in the global market.
Through its SIRO (Risk and Opportunity Intelligence Service), the ACCI practically contributes to the establishment of early warning systems in states that trust it. This service, created by Dr. Guy Gweth, not only identifies potential risks and threats but also opportunities for the competitiveness of African firms.
Lastly, the ACCI promotes research and development in key areas related to African business competitiveness, including innovation, technology, management, strategy, foresight, and overall competitive mindset of actors.
In conclusion
Over the years, the ACCI has played an increasingly decisive role in enhancing African business competitiveness. How does the Centre achieve this? By providing African businesses operating in African markets with the tools and skills necessary to withstand global competition. According to the ACCI President, these contributions justify the view held by some analysts that the Centre is a “driver of African economic growth and African business competitiveness in the global market”.
The Editorial Team