Sugaba, a regional platform which focuses on building solid entrepreneurial ecosystems for “missing middle” entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs in West Africa to promote regional integration, has partnered with the French Development Agency (AFD) and Mercy Corps to promote the Afrikhaliss program
Afrikhaliss, which was initiated by Suguba and Mercy Corps, with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD) is aimed at empowering digital startups carrying potentially impactful solutions for local value chains. The program targets companies that already have a product or service on the market and generate income.
The Afrikhaliss program is implemented by Suguba in partnership with Village Capital, Impact Hub Dakar and Impact Hub Abidjan.
Suguba in partnership Mercy Corps and the French Development Agency (AFD), is organizing their second 6-month investment readiness program in West Africa to support the eight most promising startups in the digital sector in Francophone West Africa.
L’Afrique Excelle, the francophone adaptation of the World Bank’s tech accelerator, was Suguba’s first acceleration program. The programme which took off in 2018 aimed to connect francophone startups across the continent with mentors and investors. Afrique Excelle had enabled 18 of the top 20 startups in French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa to raise funds for a total amount of approximately 10 million dollars, making it a total success.
Afrikhaliss is sector agnostic and is searching for later-stage digital solutions with services or products currently available on the market. However, the program which empowers digital startups will also welcome applications from companies that are not yet generating revenue. Eligible companies are based or generate at least 75% of their turnover in one or more of the following markets in Francophone West Africa: Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Guinea Conakry, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Senegal.
Entrepreneurs will be mentored by international and local experts, trained through a tailor-made program, increase their brand visibility and have access to potential partners and investors. Through its collaboration with leading investors with a focus on Francophone Africa, Afrikhaliss will help the selected startups attract capital.
This year’s program will take place in two virtual or physical residences, in Senegal, depending on the evolution of the health situation, and in Côte d’Ivoire.
Flagship activities include two one-week residential training sessions in Dakar (Senegal) and another in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop their professional network and learn from mentors, peers and local and international partners. The residential training in Dakar will conclude with a Pitch which will take place during the second edition of the Francophone Africa Investment Summit where entrepreneurs will present their startups to a large audience of new technology experts, investors, large companies, experts and media.
The program has as partners leading investment funds and business angels active in Francophone Africa. Interested companies can apply online vis the Sugaba website.
