Afric’innov seeks to rethink entrepreneurship support in face of AI
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Togo First
Illustrative image · Wundef Media · Pexels · Licence PexelsAfric’innov, a network of more than 130 support organisations in 26 African countries, wants to adapt its model to the rise of artificial intelligence. Its Lomé summit, which opened on 6 November, is to produce a manifesto after four months of discussions on services, funding, AI and public policy, according to Afric’innov.
Afric’innov, a network of more than 130 entrepreneurship support organisations in 26 African countries, wants to rethink the role of incubators and accelerators in the face of the rise of artificial intelligence, its president Christian Jekinnou said at the opening of its summit in Lomé. The meeting, organised to mark the network's 10th anniversary, brings together 200 participants from Togo and 17 other countries.
The summit, held from 5 to 7 November at the Sarakawa Hotel, is due to conclude on Saturday with the presentation of the Lomé Manifesto, after four months of discussions on service quality, funding, artificial intelligence and public policy. Christian Jekinnou wants support organisations in particular to help companies develop their AI skills and design agents using the technology.
In Togo, 73% of people who start a business finance their activity with their savings and 21% turn to family or relatives, while only 5% have access to formal financing, according to World Bank data from 2021. Jekinnou believes that available financing does not always match the needs of small businesses.
