BongoHive recently facilitated a dynamic and insightful masterclass on “Digital Marketing for Global Reach,” aimed at equipping entrepreneurs, creatives, and ecosystem leaders from across Africa with the tools to expand their businesses beyond borders. The session, held during the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Forum, underscored the critical role of digital strategies in leveraging the continental agreement.

The “powerful session,” as described by AfriLabs, was led by the insightful Harry Mhango, CEO & Founder of Roviin Group. It brought together a vibrant mix of participants, both in person and virtually, all keen to understand how to navigate and succeed in Africa’s evolving digital economy.

This masterclass was born from a significant opportunity extended by the AfCFTA Secretariat, which invited organisations to host sessions during its two-day masterclass series. Recognising the importance of empowering its network, AfriLabs facilitated this opportunity, connecting with hubs like BongoHive in Zambia to organize and deliver high-impact training. The call for proposals sought expertise in key digital trade areas, with “Digital marketing for global reach” being a prime focus, alongside e-commerce mastery and secure online payments.

The class guided attendees through crucial aspects of modern digital marketing. Participants learned how to leverage data for effective marketing decisions in data-driven campaigns, mastered strategies for search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) to ensure online visibility, and gained insights into important digital data trends, both global and local, such as the billions of daily Google searches. Furthermore, the session covered winning social media strategies, helping businesses identify the right platforms and objectives to achieve goals ranging from brand awareness and increasing profits to attracting talent and opportunities.

Harry Mhango emphasised, in today’s digital economy, “if you can’t be found online, you don’t exist.” The masterclass also touched upon essentials like the “5 Ingredients To Your Digital Growth” and the importance of understanding tools like Google My Business.

The collaboration between AfriLabs, BongoHive, and the AfCFTA Secretariat highlights a committed effort to build capacity and provide tangible pathways for African businesses to thrive under the AfCFTA agreement. By demystifying digital marketing and offering practical skills, such initiatives are vital in helping entrepreneurs harness the vast opportunities of a more integrated African market. Participants not only gained valuable knowledge but also benefited from access to the broader Digital Trade Forum, further enriching their learning and networking opportunities.