The inauguration of the very first growth accelerator Digital Women’s Day (JFD) in Africa took place on March 23, 2021 in Libreville, Gabon. It will be a place to gather women entrepreneurs and a networking place where there will be training and events aimed at facilitating access to finance for women, according to Delphine Remy-Boutang, founder and CEO of JFD, CEO of Global Entrepreneurship Network France .
One of JFD’s characteristics is to have ambassadors. For her first growth accelerator in Africa to be installed in Libreville, Camélia Ntoutoume-Leclercq (Ambassador of JFD Gabon), Minister Delegate for Higher Education, Scientific Research, Technology Transfer and National Education, is responsible for Community Education.
“We are bulldozers, it’s true, with all the hats we have in everyday life. At JFD, it is comfort, learning and access to funding. We hope that all major groups will also be able to support you in your business. ”
JFD also wants to interest women in the digital world from an early age. “We have developed a program aimed at educating and initiating digital technology for young people,” said Virginia Mounanga, CEO of Blanc Cristal and founder of digital classes. “These courses are not just done in coding. We are raising awareness among young people about the responsible use of the Internet and social networks. ”
JFD’s philosophy is that current generations are inspired by role models. However, there is still a long way to go for their access to finance, despite the fact that initiatives to change this situation have increased. This is explained by Robert Masumbuko, Director General of the African Development Bank for Central Africa (AfDB), based in Gabon.
“Funding is finally coming! This does not only apply to the African Development Bank, the same amount, perhaps even more, is available from the World Bank, the French Development Agency and other partners. ADB accounts for approximately 4,000 billion CFA francs (more than EUR 6 billion) in financing per year. Earlier we said to ourselves: we are on our way and everyone is happy, it will benefit women, children, farmers and everyone. And since the head of gender activities at AfDB, Vanessa Moungar, is there, we have a specific marker. We say to ourselves, very good, good way, good! But how does it specifically benefit women and girls? “
And ADB is also trying to mobilize private banks. “We talked to all the banks in Africa, they all told us” Yes, the business plan is a little better, but … Why do it? 95% of the CEOs of these banks are men. So we said to ourselves: it’s very clear, you’re just looking at the business plan, if it’s on we are the ones coming with the guarantee. And we come with 150 billion CFA francs (about 230 million euros) as a guarantee for all these women who will present projects. “
AfDB’s ambition in the short term is to see the growth and growth of 18,000 companies in Africa, created and managed by women, which would represent at least 80,000 jobs.
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