Emerging Valley Summit : win-win co-development

By Merieme Alaoui

On the eve of Emerging Valley and with your expertise, what are the developments in the African tech ecosystem?

The African tech ecosystem is increasingly characterized by a particularly inspiring dynamic, marked by the rise of female and youth entrepreneurship. African women are playing a leading role in this tech revolution, breaking barriers and driving significant innovation in areas as diverse as fintech, digital health and education. Their contribution is not limited to founding tech companies; they are also leading the way in training and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Emerging Valley 2023 will be a showcase for this talent, with special sessions dedicated to highlighting the successes of these entrepreneurs and discussing how they are shaping the future of Africa. One of these discussions, in the form of a bootcamp, has been developed in partnership with AFD’s Social & Inclusive Business Camp (SIBC). These interactions will provide valuable insights into how female entrepreneurship and African youth are transforming the tech ecosystem and paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative future.

What challenges remain?

Lack of funding and regulatory support remains a major challenge, especially at a time when international markets are contracting significantly. In fact, according to Disrupt Africa, fundraising in the African venture capital (VC) market fell by 52.4% to just over $1 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The Emerging Valley program will include roundtables and workshops on these issues, with the aim of finding practical solutions and stimulating investment in African startups.

Marseille, the crossroads between Europe and Africa, will once again host the Emerging Valley Summit. Do you have any examples of initiatives that have come out of this rapprochement between the two shores of the Mediterranean?

Fruitful collaborations have been established between African and European startups thanks to joint acceleration programs in collaboration with local structures such as Accélérateur M or Marseille Innovation, as well as research and development partnerships. Case studies of these successes will be presented at the summit. The Provence-Africa Connect program run by the Aix-Marseille-Provence conurbation as part of Emerging Valley is a perfect example of this dynamic. Indeed, a session entitled « Innovating in Provence with Aix-Marseille-Provence, European Capital of Innovation » will be held on November 28 to present the new support scheme for African startups in Provence as part of Emerging Valley!

What are the key innovations and headliners for this seventh edition?

This year’s event will feature panels on new technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), and the participation of leading figures in global innovation from Europe and Africa, such as Hafsat Abiola, human rights activist and President of Women in Africa (WIA), Victor Otieno Agolla, Chief Officer Digital Economy and Startups in Nairobi City County, Jean-David Malo, Director of the European Innovation Council, Claude Borna, Managing Director and Chief Innovation Officer of Sèmè City project and Maeva Kpadonou, Advisory Co-Lead, Innovation for Policy Foundation (I4Policy). They will be joined, of course, by disruptors in their sectors such as Bamba Lo, founder of PAPS, an online home delivery application, and Mathias Léopoldie, founder of Julaya, a digital bank, not to mention leading VCs with an impact on Africa such as Adly Thoma, Chairman & CEO of Gemini Africa, Takuma Terakubo, CEO and General Partner at Uncovered Fund Inc. and Thomas Bigagli, Partner at Plug and Play. Dedicated sessions will allow for direct interaction with these leaders.

Kenya, an English-speaking country, will be honored by the presence of top athletes. What are the economic links between France and Kenya?

The partnership between the Bouches-du-Rhône Regional Council andKenya marks an important stage in our vision of Franco-African co-development. Hosting Kenyan athletes in the run-up to the 2024 Olympic Games is a good example of sporting cooperation, but also a symbol of the deeper links between our regions. This initiative demonstrates how sport can act as a catalyst for wider cultural and economic exchange. Speakers from both countries will discuss the progress made and the opportunities ahead. Don’t miss our session on the Olympic Games, featuring four medal-winning athletes including David Rudisha, the current 800m record holder, Paul Tergat, President of the Kenyan Olympic Committee and double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge.

Emerging Valley’s collaboration with French Tech Nairobi is another pillar of this vision. It brings innovative Kenyan startups to Marseille, creating a direct bridge between the technology ecosystems. This demonstrates our commitment to supporting and developing African talent by offering them a platform to connect, share ideas and explore new growth opportunities, with the participation of successful Nairobi-made scale-ups such as Asilimia, a fintech company founded by Morgane Kablan.

You advocate win-win co-development between France and Africa. What is the role of African diasporas in France?

The African diaspora in France has an essential role to play in co-development. Panels will be held to discuss concrete progress, with representatives from the MEET Africa program (Mobilisation Européenne pour l’Entrepreneuriat en Afrique) and the Diaspora program at Kedge Business School, entrepreneurs from both sides of the Atlantic and specialist investors such as Ciwara Capital. During Emerging Valley, you will hear their perspectives, with data and testimonials.

Africa is home to the vast majority of French speakers. How can language, and therefore culture, help bring these ecosystems closer together?

Beyond its cultural wealth, the Francophone world is becoming a fertile breeding ground for technological innovation. This vision was developed by the Elysée Palace. For example, with the emergence of a French-speaking center of expertise in AI, represented at Emerging Valley, we are witnessing a tremendous drive to accelerate AI solutions in French-speaking African countries. Agencies such as Expertise France and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie are playing a crucial role in this development, carrying out specific work to accelerate the adoption of these innovative technologies. In addition, our partnership with the network of French Institutes is a major asset. They highlight many of the French-speaking innovators identified in the Notre Futur forums they organize. This collaboration is a perfect example of how the French language and culture can not only strengthen ties, but also stimulate the spirit of innovation and technological creativity in ecosystems.