Creation, innovation and entrepreneurship: how do diasporas contribute to development in the French-speaking world?

September 26, 2024

Creation, innovation and entrepreneurship: how do diasporas contribute to development in the French-speaking world?

Poster for the Rendez-vous de l'Expertise on social protection

A major event with political, economic, digital and cultural stakes, the XIXᵉ Sommet de la Francophonie, to be held in France on October 4 and 5, will be one of the international highlights of 2024. Its theme will be:

"Create, innovate, undertake in French".

Entrepreneurship is, in essence, a transformative force that refers to the ability to innovate, create and shape economic, cultural and social realities, particularly in the French-speaking world.

An associative project, the launch of a craft or commercial activity or a franchise, the development of an innovative company requiring fund-raising... all these initiatives, whose primary consequence is the creation of wealth and employment, come under the heading of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is a key theme, as it is an essential pillar of economic development, particularly in Africa. In 2023, there were over 250 million entrepreneurs on the continent, including 58 % women, contributing 60 % to 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 those belonging to the African diaspora. These project leaders have the advantage of multiple assets, cultures and networks that they can mobilize if properly supported.

Achieving these objectives will require the involvement of all the region's economic players and the establishment of effective governance. In addition, it is imperative to establish a constant dialogue between the various stakeholders, on the social, financial and health levels, in order to guarantee the population's support for this essential social contract.

But how is diaspora entrepreneurship a lever for development and cooperation that needs to be strengthened?

How can diaspora entrepreneurship be a lever for development and international cooperation?

Public sector, entrepreneurs from the diaspora, researchers... they all debated at our Rendez-vous de l'Expertise to share their experiences, the challenges they face and the solutions they have implemented to overcome them.

Watch the replay now!

(Re)watch the videos broadcast during the live :