By Saul Molobi
The COMESA Business Council (CBC) has entered into a strategic partnership with Sobek Group Limited aimed at accelerating digital financial inclusion and unlocking regional trade opportunities for Africa’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The two organisations formalised their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the eMalyami platform — an integrated digital ecosystem comprising more than fourteen interoperable modules designed to enable seamless commerce across COMESA markets.
The platform integrates services such as an e-wallet, agent networks, a virtual marketplace for goods and services, Siba cooperatives, and a merchant retail management system. Together, these tools are expected to empower small businesses, business associations, and gig-economy workers to trade, pay, and receive payments efficiently across borders.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Teddy Soobramanien, Chief Executive Officer of CBC, emphasised the importance of lowering transaction costs to drive digital adoption among MSMEs.
“Reducing the cost of transactions is essential if we are to accelerate the uptake of digital systems across the region,” said Dr. Soobramanien. “MSMEs operate on narrow margins, and affordable digital channels are critical to sustaining their daily operations and enabling them to scale into regional value chains.”
He noted that digital infrastructure tailored to the realities of small enterprises would play a transformative role in integrating informal and formal markets, strengthening intra-African trade, and supporting the objectives of regional economic integration.
Sobek Group Limited President, Nezar Eldidy, highlighted the eMalyami business suite as a practical instrument for deepening financial inclusion, particularly among underserved communities and informal market participants seeking entry into the formal economy.
Through the partnership, CBC and Sobek Group Limited will collaborate with financial service providers, development partners, and other stakeholders to establish compliant and affordable digital transaction rails for both domestic and cross-border trade.
Dr. Soobramanien added that the initiative aligns with CBC’s broader mission to empower MSMEs as engines of economic growth within the COMESA region.
“Our goal is to create an enabling ecosystem where entrepreneurs can formalise their operations, access finance, facilitate shipments, and expand beyond national borders. Digitalisation must serve as a bridge — not a barrier — to regional trade participation.”
The eMalyami platform is expected to support MSMEs in overcoming long-standing challenges such as fragmented payment systems, limited access to finance, and administrative hurdles, thereby strengthening their competitiveness in Africa’s evolving digital economy.
Finally, the CBC–Sobek partnership signals a decisive move toward building inclusive digital trade infrastructure across Africa — ensuring that MSMEs, long recognised as the backbone of the continent’s economies, are equipped not merely to participate in regional markets, but to lead their expansion through innovation, connectivity, and accessible financial ecosystems.
About COMESA Business Council (CBC)
COMESA Business Council is the recognised Business Member Organisation and a private sector institution of COMESA. It advocates for the interests of businesses across the region while actively encouraging private-sector participation in regional integration, investment, and global trade across all 21 member countries. By fostering strong business connections, identifying opportunities, forging alliances, and engaging in legislative and strategic advocacy, CBC facilitates enterprise growth. Its services are tailored to meet both industry-wide and firm-level needs, with the goal of promoting economic development and shared prosperity throughout the COMESA region.
About eMalyami
eMalyami is a comprehensive business suite designed for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), offering essential tools such as eMaWallet for financial management, eMaFunding for access to capital, and eMaMall for e-commerce. Modules including eMaServe and eMaTuma facilitate service utilisation and cross-border trade, while eMaPOS streamlines point-of-sale operations. eMaCom enhances communication and collaboration among businesses. Together, these features empower SMEs to thrive in the competitive digital economy and drive sustainable growth.
About Sobek Group Limited
Sobek Group operates at the forefront of financial technology, providing the structural integrity required to transform emerging economies. As the holding company of SobekIMF (Pty) Ltd, it delivers essential financial services through a model grounded in ethical practice and cultural sensitivity. Its mission extends beyond transaction processing to building a unified infrastructure that empowers small businesses, supports community cooperatives, and facilitates cross-border commerce across the African and MENA regions.