A major event with political, economic, digital and cultural stakes, the XIXᵉ Sommet de la Francophonie, held in France on October 4 and 5, 2024, was one of the international highlights of the year.

Its theme was “Create, innovate, undertake in French”.

Entrepreneurship is, in essence, a transformative force that designates the capacity to innovate, create and shape economic, cultural and social realities, particularly in the French-speaking world. An associative project, the launch of a craft, commercial or franchise activity, the development of an innovative company requiring fundraising… all these initiatives, the primary consequence of which is the creation of wealth and employment, fall under the umbrella of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is a key theme, as it is an essential pillar of economic development, particularly in Africa. In 2023, there were more than 250 million entrepreneurs on the continent, 58% of whom were women, contributing 60% of African GDP (source: World Bank, 2023). This entrepreneurial dynamic is the key to inclusive and sustainable growth, capable of meeting the major challenges facing Africa. Among the driving forces behind entrepreneurial projects are project leaders belonging to the African diaspora. These project leaders have the advantage of having multiple assets, cultures, and networks that they can leverage if they are well supported.

Achieving these objectives will require the involvement of all economic stakeholders in the region and the establishment of effective governance. Furthermore, it is imperative to establish constant dialogue between the various stakeholders, both socially and financially, and in the areas of health, to ensure the population’s adherence to this essential social contract. But how does diaspora entrepreneurship constitute a lever for development and cooperation that needs to be strengthened? How does diaspora entrepreneurship constitute a lever for development and international cooperation?

Public sector, entrepreneurs from the diaspora, researchers… they all debated during our Expertise Meeting to share their experiences, the challenges they face and the solutions implemented to overcome them. Watch the replay now!