Membership Categories

1. SME Standard Member

Entry-level membership for emerging and operational SMEs.

Eligibility

Registered business with valid documentation
Minimum 1 year of operation (flexible for startups — assessed case by case by Secretariat)
Basic compliance with national regulations

Core Benefits

Enrolment in the Guided ACTIC Growth Pathway — ACTIC’s structured business- development journey taking Standard Members from onboarding through market readiness, with milestone reviews and dedicated Secretariat support.
Access to ACTIC networking events
Participation in SME capacity-building workshops
Listing in ACTIC SME Directory
Access to advisory support (basic tier)
Eligibility to join sector clusters
Access to trade information, market briefs, and updates

Obligations

Maintain accurate and up-to-date business information
Participate in at least one ACTIC program annually
Uphold ACTIC’s code of conduct

Ideal For

Early-stage SMEs
Local businesses seeking structured support
SMEs preparing for growth or formalization

2. SME Growth & Export Member

For SMEs ready to scale, export, or integrate into regional supply chains.

Eligibility

Minimum 2 years of operation
Demonstrated production capacity or service scalability
Willingness to undergo ACTIC export readiness assessment

Core Benefits

All Standard Member benefits (cumulative)
Export readiness training & certification
Access to ACTIC trade missions and B2B matchmaking
Priority listing in ACTIC Export Directory
Access to logistics and supply chain facilitation
Support with standards, packaging, and compliance
Access to financing and investment facilitation programs

Obligations

Submit annual business performance updates
Participate in export readiness or compliance programs
Maintain minimum quality and production standards

Ideal For

SMEs targeting regional or international markets
Manufacturers, agribusinesses, processors, and service exporters
SMEs seeking investment or scale-up support

3. Premium / Corporate Member

For high-capacity SMEs and mid-sized companies seeking strategic partnerships and continental visibility.

Eligibility

In addition to qualitative criteria, Premium / Corporate eligibility is guided by the following indicative benchmarks (assessed holistically by the Secretariat):

Strong operational capacity and governance structures
Demonstrated export or large-scale service delivery capability
Minimum 3 years of operation (indicative)
Minimum 20 employees (indicative)
Ability and willingness to participate in high-level engagements

Note: The Secretariat may admit businesses that fall below indicative benchmarks where other evidence of capacity is compelling.

Core Benefits

All Growth & Export Member benefits (cumulative)
Priority access to investors and strategic partners
Participation in policy dialogues and advocacy platforms
Dedicated account manager at ACTIC Secretariat
Featured placement in ACTIC publications and directories
Invitations to exclusive high-level events (HLSE, ACIP Forum, etc.)
Access to diaspora investment pipelines
Opportunity to serve on ACTIC committees

Obligations

Annual compliance review
Participation in at least two strategic ACTIC programs per year
Contribution to policy consultations and sector reports

Ideal For

Export-ready or actively exporting SMEs
Mid-sized companies
SMEs seeking continental visibility and influence

4. Program Partner Member

For SMEs participating directly in ACTIC flagship programs, clusters, or initiatives.

Eligibility

Active involvement in at least one ACTIC flagship initiative
Alignment with specific program objectives (e.g., diaspora engagement, logistics, creative industries, agriculture, etc.)
Commitment to program-specific compliance requirements

Core Benefits

All Premium Member benefits (cumulative)
Direct integration into ACTIC program pipelines
Access to program-specific funding, grants, or partnerships
Co-branding opportunities with ACTIC
Priority selection for continental showcases
Access to diaspora markets and Caribbean partnerships
Eligibility for ACTIC-led procurement and supply chain opportunities

Obligations

Program participation commitments
Reporting and monitoring requirements
Adherence to program-specific standards

Ideal For - ACTIC Flagship Clusters

Africa Fashion House
Diaspora Village Projects
Logistics & Supply Chain Network
Creative Industry & Cultural Exchange
Agriculture & Export Value Chains
Youth & Women Enterprise Programs

Cross-Cutting Benefits for All Members

Regardless of category, all SME members receive the following baseline benefits:

Recognition as part of a continental trade and investment chamber
Access to ACTIC communications, newsletters, and curated opportunities
Participation in general networking events
Eligibility for ACTIC training and development programs
Access to ACTIC Secretariat support

Governance & Membership Management

Membership Approval

Applications reviewed by ACTIC Secretariat
Verification of business documentation
Category assignment based on eligibility assessment
Applicants notified within 7 business days of submission

Membership Validity

Memberships are valid for 12 months from the date of approval
Annual renewal required, renewal notices issued 30 days before expiry
Renewal is subject to continued compliance and active participation

Dual / Concurrent Membership

Members may hold concurrent categories where their activities span multiple tiers
Dual-category membership is subject to Secretariat approval
Members are billed separately for each active category

Membership Upgrading

SMEs may apply to upgrade their category at any time based on:

Growth in business capacity or scale
Demonstrated export readiness or active export activity
Increased program participation
Secretariat recommendation following performance review

Membership Suspension or Revocation

Grounds for suspension or revocation include:

Misrepresentation of business information
Non-compliance with category obligations
Ethical violations or conduct unbecoming of an ACTIC member
Reputational risk to ACTIC

Members subject to revocation proceedings will be notified in writing and given a 14-day period to respond before a final determination is made.

For Enquiries

For enquiries about membership, fees, or eligibility, please contact the ACTIC Secretariat: