Empowering Entrepreneurs in Senegal: Success Stories and Collaboration

Strategic Insights -

In a remarkable journey, Assane Sane's career as a young entrepreneur in Senegal has changed drastically for the better after joining a local tech incubator, Jokkolabs. With the support of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (PACAO-Senegal), implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) with funding from the European Union, Jokkolabs has provided infrastructure, equipment, and training to hundreds of entrepreneurs, including Sane, who now supports other startups through the Access PME programme. This collaboration has fostered partnerships between cooperatives, MSMEs, and startups, driving innovation and building a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:

  • Assane Sane's entrepreneurial career has been transformed after joining Jokkolabs, a local tech incubator in Senegal, where he now supports other entrepreneurs through the Access PME programme.
  • Jokkolabs has received support from the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (PACAO-Senegal), implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) with funding from the European Union, to upgrade infrastructure, acquire equipment, and train staff.
  • The partnership with PACAO-Senegal has provided legal, financial, and digital support to eight selected startups, organized awareness workshops on agritech, and fostered partnerships between cooperatives, MSMEs, and startups.
  • CTIC Dakar, another partner incubator, has strengthened its skills and capacity to support startups through the partnership with PACAO-Senegal.
  • The collaboration has helped build a more resilient and interconnected entrepreneurial ecosystem in Senegal, driving innovation and promoting inclusion.

Statistics:

  • Hundreds of entrepreneurs have received support from Jokkolabs through programmes like Jokkolabs Academy and Access PME.
  • Nearly 200 players from agriculture and technology have participated in awareness workshops on agritech conducted by CTIC Dakar.
  • Eight selected startups have received legal, financial, and digital support from PACAO-Senegal.
  • Jokkolabs has strengthened its position as an innovation lab where entrepreneurs are encouraged to dream big and take action.

Sources:

  • "After having joined a local tech incubator, Assane Sane's career and that of fellow young entrepreneurs in Senegal drastically changed - for the better." - International Trade Centre press release, no date specified
  • "The support from PACAO-Senegal has enabled us to upgrade our infrastructure, acquire new equipment, and train our staff, while supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs through programmes like Jokkolabs Academy and Access PME," - Karim Sy, founder of Jokkolabs
  • "PACAO-Senegal strengthened our skills and provided us with modern IT equipment, which has significantly increased our capacity to support startups." - Alassane Diallo, Senior Startup Acceleration Specialist at CTIC Dakar
  • "These workshops brought together nearly 200 players from agriculture and technology, fostering partnerships between cooperatives, MSMEs, and startups." - Alassane Diallo, Senior Startup Acceleration Specialist at CTIC Dakar