BeGreen Africa Entrepreneurship Programme

Context and Issue

The economic growth in most African countries could be viewed as a more energy-intensive sector that has a deteriorating impact on the overall environment. Along with that, unemployment, especially in the young population, is high. In response to this challenge, many young entrepreneurs have been involved in developing innovative ideas by working towards new systems, products, and services. However, they require financial and capacity-building support for specific sectors, such as green environments.

Solution

The BeGreen Africa Entrepreneurship Programme aims to help marginalized young people prosper socially and economically while speeding up efforts to combat the climate crisis. The program gives African youth the knowledge, skills, and support to set up and sustain thriving green businesses – making for a healthier planet and prosperity for all. The program included strategies such as providing financial literacy, mentoring, capacity building regarding green solutions, and networking with investment circles.

Impact

In the first two years of the implementation of the program, the following are some of the results :

660 young green entrepreneurs are trained
105 young green entrepreneurs receive $5,000 in seed funding, and thereof, at least 70 establish sustainable businesses
70 green enterprises generate 182 jobs after year one and 364 jobs after year two (434 jobs created after year 2 (364 jobs plus 70 youth entrepreneurs)
70 young green entrepreneurs who have set up sustainable

Other countries

Senegal, South Africa, and Morocco

This holistic program allows the youth to develop entrepreneurial skills, ensuring the significance of green solutions. However, as the outreach of the program is in different countries, it is crucial to establish strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms moreover, longitudinal studies are crucial to understand the nuances and best practices of program implementation.