Transforming the entrepreneurial ecosystem by strengthening local capacities and stimulating inclusive growth
The activities of IYBA-SEED in Benin are fully aligned with the current government action plan and are based on the needs of beneficiaries identified during preliminary studies.
Diagnostics have highlighted a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem at the national level, with many actors concentrated in Cotonou, but less developed at the local level, particularly for Youth and Women.
Furthermore, given the specificities of rural areas and the employment potential in certain sectors, such as agriculture and handicrafts, a consensus is emerging to make municipalities the new centers of gravity for supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem and improving the business environment.
Activities of IYBA-SEED in Benin
- Mapping and structuring entrepreneurial ecosystems around priority sectors:
Creating connections between local actors, which includes analyzing, structuring, and mapping ecosystems to strengthen these links and the operational capacities of actors. - Support for public-private initiatives to boost business competitiveness:
Facilitating public-private consultations through workshops, partnerships on pilot projects, and capacity building in advocacy to overcome business competitiveness challenges. - Promotion and development of Local Centers for Entrepreneurship and Employment (CLEE):
Facilitating access to information, training, and support by establishing local centers connected to ecosystems. These centers will provide digital services and be tailored to the needs of young and women entrepreneurs. - Promoting an entrepreneurial culture with educational and academic actors in Benin:
Developing an entrepreneurial culture by networking universities, economic actors, and local authorities through promotional campaigns, the creation of specific training programs, and support for academic and student initiatives in favor of entrepreneurship. - Organizing events to change the perception of entrepreneurship:
Highlighting initiatives for young entrepreneurs through events such as the Entrepreneurship Month in Benin (2024 Edition) or the Local Days of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (JLEE).
The IYBA-SEED Benin team presents a video showcasing its many activities over the last few months.
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.
