4th edition of the “Inspire & Connect West Africa” event

• Strengthening stakeholder networks: the forum facilitated meetings between companies, investors, associations, institutions, and innovators, stimulating the creation of cross-sector partnerships and the sharing of experiences.
• Promoting innovation and the digitalization of value chains: the rapid adoption of new tools was discussed as a major lever for boosting the competitiveness of all industries (agriculture, manufacturing, commerce, services, energy, etc.).
• Focus on impact entrepreneurship: testimonials emphasized the role of socially responsible entrepreneurship. Social models should be a priority.
• Structuring of sectors and skills development: discussions on professionalization, human resources training, and access to appropriate financing are cross-cutting themes that can serve as drivers for transformation in many sectors.
• Territorial development and inclusion: the event emphasized the importance of territorial benefits: combating inequalities, encouraging local job creation, and ensuring harmonious regional development.

↪ This roundtable also provided an opportunity to advocate for the creation of innovative financial vehicles dedicated to African agriculture and livestock farming, capable of simultaneously mobilizing public and private resources with the dual objective of financial performance and social and environmental impact.

↪ Peter Bentata discussed the rich experience of the Compagnie Fruitière group, which has been operating in Africa for over 80 years and in Senegal for 25 years. The company exports African fruit and vegetables mainly to Europe, but also targets the regional market. Key points raised:

• The importance of state-of-the-art logistics to ensure freshness and competitiveness, with the company having developed its own dedicated shipping line and modernized the docks used for fruit and vegetable exports.
• Market diversification: beyond exports, Compagnie Fruitière sells 30,000 tons of bananas on the Senegalese market, for example, and intends to develop its activities in the sub-region.
• Resilience and strengthening of the organization of the sectors through digitalization, but also the integration of Research & Development to meet the requirements of European markets and strengthen the local ecosystem.

↪ Bagoré Bathily is a model entrepreneur associated with sustainable development in Senegal. He founded La Laiterie du Berger in 2005 to promote local milk and thus improve the incomes of Fulani herders, at a time when 90% of the milk consumed in Senegal was still imported.

• The dairy relies on local supply: more than 1,000 families deliver their milk to the factory, thereby guaranteeing employment and regional vitality.
• Support from social investors (Danone Communities, Grameen Crédit Agricole, etc.) has enabled the company to develop the DOLIMA brand, a symbol of local pride, and create more than 200 direct jobs.
• The challenge goes beyond simple profitability: it is about strengthening food sovereignty and proving the viability of a business model with a strong social impact in West Africa.

 ↪ Jean-Marc Gravellini highlights the urgent need to modernize African agriculture in order to guarantee food sovereignty for a continent experiencing rapid population growth. He calls for a “double green revolution”: simultaneously improving productivity, strengthening economic performance, and preserving natural resources such as the climate, water, and soil. This requires the mobilization of private actors: African entrepreneurs, foreign companies, SMEs, and large groups. He thus emphasizes the importance of fair contractual relationships between small producers, cooperatives, and agro-industrialists to support rural entrepreneurship and the upskilling of farmers. However, massive investment in rural infrastructure and ongoing training for actors in the field is also essential to make African agriculture competitive.