Franchise Sensitization: Franchising Basics and Introduction to Afreximbank’s Franchise Financing Facility

This virtual training session introduces participants to the fundamentals of franchising and to Afreximbank's Franchise Financing Facility. Delivered in English with translation support for Francophone, Arabic and Portuguese-speaking participants, the session targets African entrepreneurs, SMEs, investors, Afreximbank officers managing the Franchise Financing Facility, officers from partner commercial banks, policymakers, and business advisors.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of the AfCFTA market and how entrepreneurs are positioning themselves within it, the growth pathways available to businesses, and what franchising is, how it works, and its contribution to African and global GDP. The session also covers the respective roles of franchisors and franchisees, the motivations behind choosing franchising over starting a business from scratch, and the financing needs of the franchise ecosystem, including how to access Afreximbank's Franchise Financing Facility.

Ahead of the session, participants will complete category-specific pre-training registration forms designed to surface brand franchisability, policy gaps, prospective franchisee interests, and potential bank product development — laying the groundwork for subsequent modules planned for August and September 2026. The session concludes with participants committing to concrete next steps aligned to their role in the franchising ecosystem, from registering franchise interest to exploring new financial products.