The 2024 annual report of the IYBA-SEED project highlights the progress made in strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems in Benin, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Togo.
Key themes
The report begins by outlining the rationale behind the programme and its implementation principles, before providing a brief description of the activities carried out in each of the five participating countries, component by component. Some activities are presented in more detail.
First results and key milestones
During 2024, significant results were achieved in the four components of the program. In terms of capacity building and network structuring (Component 1), national and regional programs to develop the skills of Business Development Services (BDS) providers were prepared, while in South Africa, an innovative pilot program based on “weavers” mobilized key actors to catalyze local dynamics. In the area of business environment (Component 2), teams supported important reforms and initiatives: operationalization of the Start-up Act in Senegal, promotion of the SME Charter in Togo, development of a policy advocacy toolkit in Kenya, and tax consultations in Benin.
The promotion of an inclusive entrepreneurial culture (Component 3) has progressed thanks to awareness-raising activities and the production of tailored content, particularly around women's entrepreneurship. Major events—such as Entrepreneurship Month in Benin and design thinking workshops in Senegal—mobilized local stakeholders and strengthened access to information and opportunities for target audiences. At the same time, Component 4 consolidated access to knowledge with the completion of ecosystem mapping, the production of national diagnostics, and the development of the IYBA-SEED digital hub, designed to facilitate the dissemination of reliable resources and best practices at the regional level.
The year 2024 thus laid a solid foundation for a ramp-up of activities in 2025. The report attests to measurable progress in structuring ecosystems, based on a multi-country and multi-stakeholder approach, alignment with national priorities, and integration of gender issues.
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Authors: This report was produced by the IYBA-SEED Project Management Unit. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily refect the views of the donors or the implementing partners.
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