Young Entrepreneurs in the Making

At Ariziki, young people are already getting a head start as the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

How? Through the Camp des Juniors Entrepreneurs (CJE) – a unique program at the Ariziki Incubation Center that introduces kids to entrepreneurship from an early age.

During the past summer break, about one hundred youth ages 12 to 18 spent a month diving into the world of business. They learned how to start their own ventures and get ahead of unemployment – a tough reality in Benin.

The camp was packed with hands-on experiences: participants explored fields such as waste recycling, agroecology, livestock farming, hydroponics, IT, and maintenance services.

With support from our Foundation, they learned how to turn their ideas into concrete projects. Projects that can not only generate income but also help their entire community move forward.

A company visit to an agricultural business rounded out the program. It gave them a behind-the-scenes look at large-scale entrepreneurship and fueled their motivation to launch their own initiatives.

The camp wrapped up with a festive certificate ceremony, attended by proud and enthusiastic parents.