To mark the New Africa-France Summit in Montpellier organized in early October 2021, the Private Sector & Development magazine explores the new entrepreneurship dynamics in Africa.
For several years now, the dynamics and performance of the private sector have been the main growth driver in Africa. In a number of African countries, “new ecosystems of innovation are allowing companies to structure themselves and develop new inclusive services, including digital services, tailored to the needs of African people”, says Gregory Clemente, Chief Executive Officer of PROPARCO in his editorial. The objective of this special edition is to report on this entrepreneurial revolution in Africa and show how these dynamics are boosting business relations between Africa and France. It gives a voice to a number of experts, including Jean-Michel Severino, President of Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) and former Chief Executive Officer of Agence Française de Développement, whose priority remains to invest in supporting formal African entrepreneurship, the most able to resolve Africa’s structural problems. Ninon Duval, Director of Bond’innov, highlights the role of African diasporas in the fintech, media, sustainable development, service sectors… These start-ups all renew the entrepreneurship dynamics between France and Africa. While Caroline Boudergue, Managing Director of Women in Africa, outlines the role of entrepreneurship led by women which boosts Africa’s economy.
You can find out about other analyses and case studies in this special edition, which also presents the key figures on African entrepreneurship and takes a look at the French Choose Africa initiative. This initiative fulfils the commitment made in Ougadougou by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, to support the revolution in entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. Through AFD Group, France has earmarked over EUR 3.5bn for 2018-2022 for African start-ups, microenterprises and SMEs.
⇒ Consult the Special Issue of Private Sector and Development: New Africa-France Summit
Discover the interview of Gregory Clemente, General Manager of Proparco
Discover the interview with Jean-Michel Severino, President of Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P).
Discover the interview of Ninon Duval, director of Bond’innov.