Marwa Moula : from France to Tunisia, an entrepreneurial adventure
Marwa Moula co-founded the marketplace IleyCom, an innovative platform aimed at connecting local creators with the international market while integrating eco-friendly and solidarity-based practices. This embodies her dream of “doing business in the countries,” after experiencing the uncertainties and challenges faced by entrepreneurs, for which she received significant support to launch her project.
How did your entrepreneurial project come about?
My story began in France, within an associative framework. I launched an incubation program funded by the City of Paris, aimed at social entrepreneurs to develop projects with social and environmental impact. When I came to Tunisia for this program, I found that 80% of entrepreneurs were artisans who had created eco-friendly handcrafted products, but they struggled to market their creations.
It is essential to be well-informed and supported
What challenges did you face when materializing your project?
The first challenge was moving to Tunisia and opening my business. I had little information about the legal aspects and the type of business to create. Having lived in France for ten years, returning to Tunisia was a challenge, especially regarding my professional network. I doubted my choices a lot. The reactions around me were not very encouraging: “But what are you going to do?” Such remarks can be very discouraging, even though my mother supported me greatly. The doubts of others, including my family, added to the pressure. For a diaspora entrepreneur, one must come with strong motivation and resilience. Access to information is crucial, and support is not limited to financial or technical help. Moral support is just as essential.
Regarding the project itself, logistics proved to be the biggest challenge. Finding ways to ship packages internationally from Tunisia took a lot of time, testing, and discussions with various partners. Taxation and customs were also delicate subjects, requiring procedures with the relevant ministries.
Access to information is crucial, and support is not limited to financial or technical help. Moral support is just as essential
Did you receive any help along your journey?
Yes, I was fortunate to receive moral and technical support. Meet Africa played a crucial role by providing me with resources and contacts. It is important to have this type of support, especially as a female entrepreneur coming from abroad. Meet Africa has been a true pillar for me. Beyond the funding, which is always a challenge—especially responding to project calls and distinguishing myself from other candidates—I received invaluable formative support. The program started with basic training that helped me better understand entrepreneurship. After being selected, I benefited from personalized technical support for my startup. I worked on my pitch deck and business plan, participating in regular sessions that greatly helped me move forward.
The incubation with Marseille Innovation was also an important step, allowing me to stay in France while developing my network. This enabled me to create links with the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem during my first visit. Moreover, the visibility I gained by speaking at events was very beneficial. Ultimately, thanks to Meet Africa, I received an initial grant of 10,000 euros, followed by 40,000 euros, which significantly boosted my activities and allowed me to realize my project. This type of program is essential for diaspora entrepreneurs wishing to return and launch initiatives in their home countries.
Meet Africa played a crucial role by providing me with resources and contacts
How has your project evolved so far?
Today, our marketplace allows artisans, artists, and small businesses to sell online, both nationally and internationally. We have nearly 600 sellers and over 5,000 products online, all selected according to strict criteria: craftsmanship, eco-responsibility, and absence of toxic ingredients.
We aim to develop strong logistical partnerships and integrate more African sellers to expand our market. The idea is to enable consumers to purchase products from other African countries, making our marketplace a space for intra-African trade. We also plan to collaborate with other marketplaces, like Vouba in Rwanda, to create a solid network.
For a diaspora entrepreneur, one must arrive with strong motivation and resilience
What message would you like to convey to future entrepreneurs from the diaspora?
I want to tell them that it is essential to be well-informed and supported. The entrepreneurial journey is fraught with challenges, but with perseverance, encouragement, and the right resources, it is possible to overcome difficulties. Just because others have failed does not mean you will fail too. Stay motivated, and know that every step counts in this journey.
For more information : https://ileycom.com/
