Entrepreneurship support organisations (ESOs) and financial support organisations (FSOs) in West Africa continue to face structural constraints when facilitating access to finance for start-ups and growing businesses.
Traditional financing mechanisms often require collateral, formal guarantees or credit histories, which many entrepreneurs, particularly those running businesses led by women and young people, do not possess.
In response, a range of alternative financial instruments has emerged, including gender-sensitive loans, crowdfunding and other flexible tools that enable risk-sharing, reduce barriers to entry and better adapt to the realities of local ecosystems. However, many ESAs and FSOs are still exploring how to effectively design, structure and operationalise these models.
This webinar will bring together practitioners implementing innovative financing tools in Benin, Togo and Senegal to share concrete experiences, lessons learnt and practical considerations for their replication and adaptation.
Speakers
- Alice PETETIN, I&P Conseil
- Ouma SANI, Women’s Investment Club - Loans/Investments - Senegal
- Augustin KINTOKONOU, Investi'SENS - Leasing - Benin
Target audience
- Organisations supporting entrepreneurship
- Financial support organisations
- Incubators and accelerators
- Programme managers working on SME financing
- Stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in West Africa
Date: April 9, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (CET) / 12.00 (GMT) - 1.30 PM (GMT)
Online webinar on registration
Language: FRENCH
