Strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by responding to specific national and regional needs
IYBA-SEED in Togo aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by addressing the specific needs of the regions of Tsévié, Atakpamé and Kara, while operating on a national scale (Lomé). Based on an in-depth ecosystem analysis and stakeholder engagement, the project addresses the major challenges identified, such as such as the structuring of Entrepreneurship Support Organisations service offers, collaboration between entrepreneurship players and restricted access to financing.
Although Togo's entrepreneurial ecosystem is still in its activation phase, its potential is immense and can be transformed into an engine for inclusive growth.
To achieve this, IYBA-SEED Togo is working in several areas : capacity building and networking between ecosystem players in all regions, the development of an entrepreneurial culture within Togolese educational structures (universities, training schools) and media as well as the development and dissemination of alternative financing tools (Business Angels, Investment readiness, crowdfunding ...).
IYBA-SEED Togo focuses on 6 key areas:
1. Developing an entrepreneurial culture in the academic world: developing and improving programs to stimulate entrepreneurship among young people and women; encouraging entrepreneurship education in universities and technical institutes.
2. Strengthening the players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem (mainly Entrepreneurship Support Organisations) to provide tailored support for entrepreneurs in the pre-seed and seed phases.
3. Improve financing options for these entrepreneurs through alternative financing solutions (Business Angels, Investment readiness, crowdfunding).
4. Foster better collaboration between entrepreneurship support structures and ecosystem players for effective knowledge sharing and enhanced support.
5. Improve the promotion of entrepreneurial culture in the media (traditional and social networks).
6. Support the setting up of consultation frameworks and the development of local strategies to support entrepreneurship in three communes.
IYBA-SEED activities in Togo
Promoting entrepreneurship through targeted awareness campaigns:
- Strengthening entrepreneurial learning platforms.
- Highlighting successful local entrepreneurs in the media.
- Organization of entrepreneurial events and support for national and regional events.
- Mobilizing networks of influencers to promote entrepreneurship as a career.
Supporting educational initiatives to promote entrepreneurship:
- Development of innovative entrepreneurship training models in universities.
- Training teacher ambassadors to promote entrepreneurship.
- Support for the promotion of entrepreneurial culture in universities through the organization of entrepreneurial events.
Capacity-building for ESOs (Entrepreneurship Support Organizations):
- Selection and diagnostics of ESOs' needs.
- Organizational and technical strengthening of ESOs, including on specific themes (bioenergy, digitalization).
- Promotion of peer-to-peer learning to share experiences.
Implementation of alternative financing tools adapted to (pre)seed entrepreneurs:
- Promotion of alternative financing tools (business angels, investment readiness, crowdfunding, etc.).
Support for improving access to information on entrepreneurship, including on alternative financements.
Development of a concerted strategic framework for entrepreneurship at municipal and national levels:
- Support for the development of a national strategy for entrepreneurship, with a focus on youth and women.
- Implementation of pilot activities arising from communal strategies.
Develop synergies between players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem:
- Support for ADTPME to coordinate support mechanisms.
- Structuring and assessing the RISAT network.
- Update and disseminate the map of ecosystem players.
- Capitalize on pilot initiatives and promote best practices.
- Support to strengthen the participation of young entrepreneurs' and/or women's organizations in public-private dialogue (State-private sector consultation framework).
WEBINAR #6 Peer exchange on Investment Readiness for Early-Stage Businesses
The peer exchange explored what makes early-stage businesses genuinely ready to access finance, drawing on the perspectives of a commercial bank, an investor, and participating ESOs.
Assessment on the appropriateness of available financial services in the Kenyan market for SEED beneficiaries
Discover our latest study, carried out by the IYBA SEED team in Kenya in partnership with Intellecap, a comprehensive assessment of the Kenyan financial services landscape, spotlighting the gaps that keep early-stage businesses, youth, and women entrepreneurs from accessing the capital they need to grow.
KENYA- Policies brief - Kisumu County launches Landmark Trade, Cooperative and Local Enterprise Policies
The Kisumu policies, now consolidated into a document, provide a roadmap to ecosystem actors and entrepreneurs for supporting local producers, enhancing market access, promoting local procurement, and building stronger, more resilient enterprises across Kisumu County.
AI Integration Toolkit for Women Entrepreneurs
This toolkit is designed as a practical companion for women entrepreneurs who want to understand, explore, and apply AI and automation in their business operations. It provides step-by-step guidance to help you translate ideas into measurable impact
Webinar #8 - How Can Ecosystem Actors Better Support Green Enterprises to Scale Across Africa ?
Practical info21/10/2026 - 11:00 - 21/10/2026 - 12:30Financing Growth Beyond Borders
Access to finance is widely recognized as an important enabler of business growth. However, for enterprises seeking to scale beyond their domestic markets, financing is only one piece of a much broader puzzle.
Call for application for ESOs in fostering regional market access for green entrepreneurs
Webinar #2: Leveraging digital tools to strengthen entrepreneurial support in West Africa
Practical info03/07/2025 - 16:00 - 03/07/2025 - 17:30Tools, exchanges of experience and strategies for adapting entrepreneurial support models
Why did we create this webinar?
KENYA - Biashara Pawa dialogue event #1 - Kisumu
Practical info23/07/2025 - 09:00 - 23/07/2025 - 17:00Elevating entrepreneur voices and visibility in underrepresented sectors for inclusive growth
Biashara Pawa - which means the power of business to effect change - is a bold new media and public engagement initiative designed to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs in underre
THE LIVING TAPESTRY: a new animated short film celebrates the Women shaping Africa's entrepreneurial future
Triggerfish Animation Studio, Goon Valley Animation Studio, and the European Union’s Team Europe Initiative – Investing in Young Businesses in Africa #TEIIYBA, are proud to announce the forthcoming release of The Living Tapestry, a pan-African animated short film with a social mission. The f...KENYA - Biashara Pawa Awards celebrate women and youth entrepreneurs transforming underrepresented sectors
Celebrate entrepreneurial excellence, community impact, innovation, and leadership After months of dialogue, mentorship, networking, and learning, the Biashara Pawa Awards provided an opportunity to recognise the women and youth entrepreneurs who are redefining what is possible in sectors wher...Demo Days 2026: from capacity building to market readiness for green industries in Africa
From strengthening ESOs to preparing African green businesses for regional expansion Across Africa, green startups and SMEs are developing innovative solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, water, clean technologies and other emerging green sectors.Benin-Togo Exchange Visit: Strengthening Regional Entrepreneurship Cooperation
From May 18 to 22, 2026, the IYBA-SEED Benin and IYBA-SEED Togo teams invited a delegation of actors from Benin's entrepreneurial ecosystem to take part in an exchange visit between Kara and Lomé, Togo.
