Supporting Startups in Borgou
The Project
To combat poverty and malnutrition in the Borgou region, we help women and young people launch innovative businesses. This is why we established the Ariziki Incubation Centre. Many women and young people want to become entrepreneurs but need more technical support, training, and access to funding.
We focus specifically on local and sustainable projects that positively impact both the community and the environment. Our focus areas include agribusiness, the green economy, and digitalization.
Our Goal
We aim to be the catalyst for sustainable entrepreneurship and agricultural innovation, especially for women and young people in Benin.
Project Description
The Ariziki Incubation Centre, located in Tinré in the municipality of N’dali, aims to drive local economic development. We offer young entrepreneurs complete services to help them achieve their goals. This includes strategic advice, training, management tools, and a coworking space. Additionally, we provide tailored financing, personalized mentoring, and investor access. We emphasize product quality and meeting market requirements to help entrepreneurs succeed.
The support starts with an intensive pre-incubation phase, where entrepreneurs undergo thorough training. We then work together to develop a business plan. The selected projects move on to the incubation phase, receiving customized guidance based on their needs. This mentorship lasts from one to three years, depending on the company’s development. Through various training programs, we help entrepreneurs strengthen their skills.
Results and Future Outlook
After its first year of operation, Ariziki has supported thirty entrepreneurs in the agriculture, digital, and green economy sectors. Thanks to our modern facilities and expert team, these entrepreneurs have developed sustainable and innovative business models. Most of them have made significant progress by improving the quality and presentation of their products, participating in local fairs, and building valuable connections. Their management skills have also greatly improved.
Several new initiatives are in the pipeline to support and strengthen more businesses. Ariziki plans to assist more entrepreneurs, expand its services, and place a greater focus on green and digital innovation. Our goal is to become a leading centre, in Borgou and Alibori, and across Benin.
