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Promoting female entrepreneurship in West Africa

Promotion of female entrepreneurship – FEMMPACT

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  • Client

    German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

  • Political sponsors

    More

  • Runtime

    2024

  • Involved

    University Mohammed VI Polytechnic – Social Innovation Lab

  • Products and expertise

    Economic development and employment

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Context

Female entrepreneurship in Africa has high potential to contribute to sustainable economic development. Even though nearly 25 per cent of sub-Saharan African women are entrepreneurs, compared to six per cent in Europe, these women face various challenges. Most importantly, the economic systems of the countries do not sufficiently support entrepreneurs making it challenging for them to secure essential funding, gain market access and do the necessary networking. Female entrepreneurs, specifically, face additional barriers due to cultural factors. Moreover, it is harder for them to find the necessary training to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

There are support programmes, but most of them do not sufficiently consider the needs of women.

The triangular cooperation between Germany Morocco and west Africa aims to support female entrepreneurs.

Objective

Female entrepreneurs in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have appropriate support programmes and more networking opportunities.

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Approach

The project consists of three measures:

  1. Train the trainers. Representatives from six Senegalese and Ivorian incubators will benefit from training and experience sharing in Morocco with experts from Morocco and Germany. The overall aim of this measure is to create a system that responds to the specific needs and challenges that female entrepreneurs are facing.
  2. A Support programme for 60 women in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire. They receive training by the trained incubators and can develop their business ideas by trainings and peer-to-peer meetings as well as through networking. This will enable female entrepreneurs to develop their businesses and enhance their entrepreneurial skills. 18 women will have the opportunity to benefit from a learning journey in Morocco so they can dive in the entrepreneurial Moroccan ecosystem.
  3. Creating an African network of incubators to exchange experience, learn about replication models, and make the African ecosystem more dynamic.
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Last update: February 2024

Additional information