Latest news with #Cotonou
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
How Africa is building a better ecosystem for entrepreneurs
The Future Studio incubator in Cotonou has developed a successful coaching programme, propelling four startups to success. The Beninese innovation center is now expanding, while business support organizations across West Africa are increasing their collaboration. The NTF V FastTrackTech project has nurtured these developments. The ITC project brought together major players from Benin, Niger and Mali to share their experiences and build together a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Future Studio: a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in Benin Since opening a year ago in Cotonou, the Future Studio innovation center has aimed to propel Beninese innovation and digital entrepreneurship. As a partner of the Epitech school and a member of the African Education&Innovation Group, the innovation center fosters the growth of young, innovative companies, providing structured support and networking. With the support of the NTF V FastTrackTech project, the Future Studio has set up a support programme tailored to Benin's digital ecosystem. 'We can't claim to support entrepreneurs without being supported and empowered ourselves. Thanks to the recommendations of the NTF V FastTrackTech project expert, we have gained in vision and methodology,' said Future Studio project manager Yoann Agbo. 'This is what enabled our Start program to take shape and achieve its first successes. We're very proud today to see ideas become solid projects as teams grow.' After six months in the incubation program, four startups have made significant progress: they have perfected their pitch, established commercial collaborations, and intensified their discussions with potential investors. One gained international visibility by taking part in Gitex Africa. 'Our intention is to provide ongoing support for the startups we have supported, and we are actively engaged in preparing a second cohort of entrepreneurs. At the same time, we plan to develop a targeted offering for more mature companies seeking accelerated growth or diversification of their offerings,' said Yoann. This expertise recently earned Future Studio a contract with telecom operator MTN Benin to take charge of the operational side of a new incubation program. 'Since supporting the NTF V FastTrackTech project, Future Studio has shown what it can do. This new partnership testifies to the trust placed in our activities,' he added. Better support for African entrepreneurs Like the Future Studio, business support organizations walk with entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, contributing to job creation and more sustainable, inclusive economic development. NTF V FastTrack Tech believes the creation of synergies makes African organizations more efficient by optimizing their resources. The project initiated an exchange session on 30 April between the Bussiness Support Structures Network of Niger (Réseau des Structures d'Appui du Niger – RESAEN), the Federation of Innovative Business Support Organizations in Benin (Fédération des Structures d'Appui à l'Entrepreneuriat Innovant – FedSAEI) and the National Council of Incubators of Mali (Conseil National des Incubateurs du Mali – CNSIM). Rabia Moussa is vice-president of RESAEN and co-founded the Développe-les organization in Niger. 'Regular exchanges and lasting cooperation create a network of mutual support between BSOs, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. Financing issues are often at the heart of concerns,' she said. 'In this respect, RESAEN shared its experience and roadmap.' The session concluded with the formalization of several ideas and recommendations, including the need to set up a working group dedicated to the question of financing, the monitoring of new opportunities and the prospecting of new partners. Rabia also stressed the need for BSOs to clarify the roles and commiments of their governance members, so that tasks are properly assigned. 'I can only encourage the holding of an annual general meeting with the publication of an activity report. By also adopting transparent and participative governance practices, support structures can consolidate their internal functioning and increase their impact in the service of a flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem,' she said. The nascent collaboration between Benin, Niger and Mali is just the first step towards continental synergy. 'Tomorrow, the dialogue could even be extended to Burkina Faso. It is this growing synergy that will enable African talent to flourish and contribute fully to the continent's economic development,' she added. About the project The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF) program (July 2021 – June 2025) is based on a partnership between the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Trade Centre. NTF V supports SMEs in the digital technology and agribusiness sectors in Benin, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Uganda. Its ambition is to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable transformation of agri-food systems partly through digital solutions, to improve the international competitiveness of local tech start-ups and to support the implementation of the export strategy of IT&BPO companies. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Beninese small business gain international presence and know-how
Benin wants to grow its exports, especially by small businesses working in food and technology. The African country believes this is the best way to lift its economy from the ranks of least developed countries. A key milestone in that effort is the creation of a new Pôle Export, a platform that will make it easier for entrepreneurs to enter international markets. Pôle Export is the centrepiece of a project at the Interantional Trade Centre (ITC), which is working with both the government and with small businesses to boost the country's exports. The government has created new Directorate for Export Promotion, known by its French acronym DPE. It sits within the Import and Export Promotion Agency (APIEx), but it's more than an organizational change. It's a new way of thinking about exports, with a targeted approach that focuses on agribusiness and digital trade. Since February, the Pôle Export is has its own director to coordinate its activities. A team of government trade exports has been assigned to support him, along with eight Beninese consultants recruited by ITC to build up their skills. Three advisors are focussed on priority export areas, including agribusinesses and textiles and clothing. Three others have already worked with 21 small business on their branding and e-commerce operations. Two more will provide DPE staff with training in market analysis tools. The ITC work is under a project called Support to operationalize the APIEx Pôle Export, known simply as ProPex. The Embassy of the Netherlands funds the project, which began in February 2025. A steering committee meeting on 6 May marked ProPex's official launch. The Export Promotion Directorate is the backbone of Benin's ambitions to expand into international markets, offering targeted export support services tailored to priority sectors,' said ITC country manager Ludmila Azo. 'Through the PROPEX project, we aim to strengthen this institutional lever by providing it with the skills, tools and systems necessary to provide strategic and high-impact support to SMEs ready to export.' Upgrading digital services The APIEx website is being upgraded to include trade information tools, as well as a small business marketplace and sector-specific content. ProPex stands out because of how it centres participatory governance. Three thematic working groups structure their services within the National Export Strategy, which was also crafted with ITC support. Regular briefings between ITC, APIEx and other partners ensure close monitoring of progress. By focussing on sustainability and capitalization, ProPex is laying the foundation for a robust export ecosystem in Benin. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niger-Benin border standoff deepens as trade collapse bites
Nearly two years after Niger's military seized power and the border with Benin was shut, tensions over security, sovereignty and French influence have hardened into a stand-off throttling trade and paralysing ties between the west African neighbours. Benin, which denies hosting foreign forces accused of destabilising Niger, claims it has made repeated overtures to ease the blockade, but efforts have failed despite mounting economic pain on both sides of the border. "Those who are suffering are the people of both countries," Nigerien haulier Ibrahim Abou Koura, who is based in Benin's economic capital Cotonou, said. General Abdourahamane Tiani has repeatedly accused Benin of harbouring French military bases training jihadists to undermine Niger. In May, he insisted the border would "remain closed", saying the fight was not with Benin but with French troops he claims are operating from its soil. The friction since the coup has taken a heavy toll on cross-border trade and travel between the two countries. "Buses aren't as full. There's not the same number of people," said Abou Koura, in the deserted yard of his compound in Zongo, where he once stored goods bound for major Nigerien cities. Still, transport workers in Cotonou say some movement persists, with the Niger River -- a natural border -- remaining a busy crossing despite the official closure. "Goods pass and travellers cross the river to continue their journey by bus on the Niger side," said Alassane Amidou, a resident of Malanville, a city in northeastern Benin. But for trucks unable to cross by water, perilous detours through jihadist-infested zones in Burkina Faso have become the only option. "The Niger-Benin corridor is currently the safest, most profitable and shortest route for transporters and businesses," said Gamatie Mahamadou, secretary-general of a consortium of Nigerien truck driver unions, in Niamey. He called on Niger's military rulers to "immediately normalise relations with Benin", warning that "workers' safety" and "the national economy" are at stake. - Cautious optimism - Niger's vital oil exports to Benin's port of Seme-Kpodji resumed in late 2024 via a cross-border pipeline after months of disruption. Uranium shipments from northern Niger remain stalled, awaiting either a diplomatic thaw or an alternative route. Benin has denied Niger's claims it is turning a blind eye to any destabilisation attempts and continues to extend an olive branch to Niger. Former presidents Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo travelled to meet General Tiani a year ago in a failed bid to restore ties. Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari in early June said he hoped for "prospects for recovery" provided security conditions are met. "We are hopeful that this will be resolved quickly ... the blockage is not on Benin's side," he told local media. "We have to accept the fact that we are not on the same wavelength sometimes... The door remains open." A new Beninese ambassador may soon be appointed to Niamey, following the quiet February recall of Gildas Agonkan, who had publicly apologised to the Nigerien people "on behalf of all Beninese and the authorities of Benin". "The apology to the Nigerien people was seen in Cotonou as a diplomatic weakening of the country during this crisis," said Guillaume Moumouni, an international relations expert. "The next ambassador must be someone of great repute and who knows Niger well enough to inspire trust and respect." Benin, which maintains it hosts no foreign military bases, has seen a surge in jihadist attacks this year and laments poor cooperation with neighbouring Sahel states also affected. "Not being able to talk directly with its neighbours increases Benin's vulnerability," said Lassina Diarra, head of the Strategic Research Institute of the International Counter-Terrorism Academy in Ivory Coast. Benin is set to elect a new president in April 2026, which could be a chance to restart "serious negotiations", Moumouni said. str-bh-pid/srg/phz
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Who be Nigerian actress Angela Okorie wey dey di centre of Nollywood drama?
Celebrity life dey come wit fame, influence, money and constant public drama wey dey make dia life different from ordinary pesin. Nollywood actress Angela Okorie don dey di centre of di ongoing gbas-gbos between am, Mercy Johnson and Regina Daniels wey dey trend ontop social media. Angela recently make one post ontop social media say she don forgive Mercy Johnson, wey she bin get beef wit but Regina Daniel respond say "we no dey forgive for dis side". Na dis make Angela fire back. She verbally insult Regina Daniels claiming Regina marry her husband, Nigeria politician Ned Nwoko for money. Regina deny her claim and respond say na Angela dey beg her husband make im support am financially for her next project. Afta days of staying quiet, Mercy Johnson don tok say she go speak up for hersef and clear di air about di allegations against her. Who be Angela Okorie Angela Okorie na ogbonge musician and actress for Nollywood wey start her career as a model, bifor she break into stardom for 2009 wit her first feem 'Holy Serpent' and she don feature for several movies including 'Heart of a Widow' and 'Secret Code.' She don win several awards for di Nigeria movie industry. Angela win di 'Best Supporting Actress' category for di 2015 edition of di City People Entertainment Awards. Angela come from Enugu State, southeast Nigeria, but dem born am for Cotonou, Benin Republic, bifor she relocate to Nigeria wia she bin start to model for cosmetic brand for 2005 until she find her real passion wey be acting for 2009. Di actress get one pikin from her previous marriage wit Chukwuma Orizu. Di two dey togada for ten years bifor Angela announce her divorce ontop Instagram in 2015. She claim say her ex-husband no wan make she dey work as actress but di two still maintain dia relationship and dem still dey co-parent dia son. Beef for Nigerian entertainment industry Beef for Nigerian entertainment industry no be new tin. From music to movies, drama between celebrities don become almost as popular as di work dem dey produce. Weda na about ego, competition, betrayal, or just plain misunderstanding, beef dey always make headlines, and sometimes e dey even boost careers. For Nollywood, beef fit spark between actors, directors, producers, or even influencers. Many times, na ova who dey inside big role, who dey earn more endorsement deals, or who dey get more attention from di media. Oda times, na about personal issues wey dem bring into public space. E fit also be old friendship wey turn to enmity or comments wey pesin make for interview wey go di wrong way. Music is even dey more notorious. From di days of 2Baba vs Blackface, to more recent beef between new cats for di music industry, Nigerian entertainment industry don see im fair share of ego battles. But shey na all beef dey bad? Some pipo believe say e dey create healthy competition. Wen two top entertainers dey compete, dem dey often drop dia best work. Di fan and di industry benefit in dat manner. But beef fit lead to division as fans dey pick sides and engage in toxic trolling online.
Reuters
31-05-2025
- General
- Reuters
Benin teen eyes global rugby stage, challenges gender norms
As the sun dips low over Cotonou, fifteen-year-old Kadidjath Ouedraogo and her father, Amidou, make their way to a twilight training session on the rugby pitch, each step echoing her dream of one day representing Benin on the global stage. Sean Hogan has more.
