CAVIE Open Universities
Competitive Intelligence and Strategies for Conquering AfCFTA Markets
Why attend COU2026?
An integrated performance system to accelerate your company's expansion within the AfCFTA.
Preliminary Strategic Audit
Competitiveness diagnosis against the continental market, to clearly identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Applicable Skills
30 hours of intensive training featuring practical exercises directly linked to your business model.
C-BUSINESS Tool Included
One free month of access to the ultimate strategic management software for SMEs in the AfCFTA.
Pan-African Business Network
Meetings with experts, institutional decision-makers, and prominent companies across the continent.
The African Single Market: An Opportunity to Seize
The operational implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a major structural shift for the continent's economic landscape, offering a single market of over 1.3 billion consumers.
For SMEs and SMIs, which make up over 90% of the African productive sector, integrating into cross-border value chains requires a profound strategic, legal, and technological upgrade.
Your COU2026 Journey
A structured support system, from enrollment to integration into the CAVIE network.
Enrollment and Selection
Submit your application before July 21, 2026. Applications are reviewed by the selection committee.
Competitiveness Audit
An individual diagnosis of your company against continental competition.
Inaugural Conference
Monday, August 03, 2026: Mapping trade flows and growth niches within the AfCFTA.
10 Certifying Workshops
From Tuesday 04 to Friday 07 August: 30 hours of intensive training tailored to your business model.
C-BUSINESS Software Usage
Practical sessions every afternoon to master the strategic management tool for SMEs.
Networking and Awards Evening
Saturday, August 08: Strategic alliances, distribution partnerships, and awards ceremony.
Access to the CAVIE Network
Integration into the CAVIE business network and post-training follow-up via C-BUSINESS.
Detailed Workshop Program
Ten practical and certifying workshops, structured around five fundamental pillars.
Workshop 1: Business Rights and Obligations in the OHADA Zone
Securing commercial contracts, mastering legal statuses, and protecting SME assets.
Workshop 2: Practice of Rules and Procedures of the OHADA Accounting System
Optimizing financial statements, managing financial transparency, and complying with revised standards.
Workshop 3: Customs Compliance and Mastery of AfCFTA Rules of Origin
Eligibility for preferential tariffs, origin certification processes, and expedited customs clearance techniques.
Workshop 4: Litigation Management and Resolution of Cross-Border Commercial Conflicts
Using arbitration mechanisms, mediation, and proactive management of non-tariff barriers.
Workshop 5: Due Diligence, Compliance, and Auditing Business Partners in the OHADA Zone
Evaluating supplier reliability, verifying solvency, and preventing fraud risks.
Workshop 6: Methods, Tools, and Practices of Economic Intelligence in the AfCFTA
Setting up an internal intelligence unit, ethical information gathering, and strategic influence.
Workshop 7: Commercial Intelligence, Sector Monitoring, and Mapping Regional Markets
Competitor analysis, identifying high-growth market segments, and commercial penetration techniques.
Workshop 8: Foreign Trade Financing and Cross-Border Payment Solutions
Documentary credit mechanisms, using the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, and currency arbitrage.
Workshop 9: Process Digitalization and Cross-Border E-Commerce
Deploying e-commerce platforms, last-mile international logistics, and regional digital marketing strategies.
Workshop 10: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Global Business Competitiveness
Automating administrative processes, predictive sales analysis, and using generative AI tools for marketing.
Discover C-BUSINESS
The CAVIE's flagship software suite for SME management in a highly competitive environment.
- Strategic enterprise management
- Automated competitive intelligence
- Real-time performance tracking
- Decision support and dashboards
- AfCFTA positioning and preparation
Practical Information
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Deadline | July 21, 2026 |
| Inaugural Conference | August 03, 2026 |
| Certifying Workshops | August 04 to 07, 2026 |
| Networking Evening | August 08, 2026 |
Corporate Package
One-time flat investment
- Preliminary competitiveness audit
- Access to the 10 certifying workshops
- 1-month C-BUSINESS subscription
- Networking evening
- Distinction for top-performing companies
- Access to CAVIE business networks
Frequently Asked Questions
COU2026 is designed for dynamic SMEs and SMIs aiming to expand their operations continent-wide. Target profiles include founders, general managers, commercial directors, legal directors, and executives in charge of strategy or international development.
Yes, COU2026 takes place both online and in-person. Remote participants benefit from the same program and workshops via a dedicated video-conferencing platform.
Yes, all ten workshops are certifying. Every participant receives a CAVIE certificate at the end of the training, validating the skills acquired.
Once your enrollment is confirmed, CAVIE experts conduct an individual competitiveness diagnosis. This diagnosis identifies your organization's strengths and weaknesses against continental competition and helps tailor your training path.
C-BUSINESS access is included in the enrollment package. Your credentials will be provided at the start of the training. The subscription is valid for one month from the start date of COU2026.
Enrollment fees are non-refundable once confirmed. In case of force majeure, deferring to a future edition may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The package covers one delegate per company. If you wish to enroll multiple representatives, please contact the CAVIE team to discuss specific arrangements.