Smart Africa through its capacity-building vehicle Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) and Enabel through the Digiboost project are organizing a workshop between Benin and Rwanda which is expected to boost Tech-driven entrepreneurship through peer-learning exchange. The development was revealed on December 8, and the purpose of the workshop and study tour is to share knowledge and best practices between both country’s digital and entrepreneurial ecosystems as well as build participants’ capacity and knowledge in entrepreneurship through a two-day workshop and ultimately increase the performance of digital entrepreneurs. According to the organisers, there will be a study tour where Benin entrepreneurs will discover and learn about the Rwandan start-up ecosystem. In addition, the program is in line with the joint vision between the Smart Africa Secretariat, the Ministry of Digitalization of Benin, and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda to share knowledge and bring together national and regional efforts to bridge the digital skills gap in Africa,” read part of their statement. Moreover, during the workshop, the 35 delegates from Benin represent government officials involved in defining the environment of the digital economy in Benin, the management unit and partners of the project, support structures for innovative entrepreneurship (SAEI), and Beninese start-ups and their counterparts from Rwanda (30) will take part. Furthermore, this has been described as an important event that occurs at a time when the growing digital economy in Africa is opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurs and enabling the creation of new business models, innovations, and value in data-driven industries. “Africa’s digital economy is making significant strides and digital entrepreneurship is taking shape. Building capacity for African entrepreneurs and sharing lessons between member states is a crucial step towards taking advantage of the immense opportunities this new type of the economy presents,” pointed out Lacina Koné DG and CEO of Smart Africa, commenting on this initiative. Emmanuelle Bouiti, coordinator of the DigiBoost project implemented by Enabel in Benin, commenting on the development said that the mission is to learn about best practices in the Rwandan innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, which will end on December 13. “The courses include a training session provided by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and a study trip during which the Beninese visitors will discover the Rwandan innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she said In addition, Bouiti pointed out that the initiative will allow Beninese innovative entrepreneurship support structures to strengthen their knowledge and skills around the support profession and to create a framework for meeting and exchanging with their Rwandan counterparts. Smart Africa is an alliance of 35 African countries, international organisations, and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda. The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICT.
