The Empower Africa Business Platform is Now Live !!!
The toolkit was developed following a comprehensive study aimed at identifying the practical needs for startups to successfully enter these key markets.
It focuses on critical sectors, including agriculture, education, financial services, health, and manufacturing.
The digital toolkit provides a range of outputs, tools, and guides tailored to support entrepreneurs navigating these diverse markets.
It has undergone validation through feedback sessions to ensure it effectively addresses entrepreneurs’ needs.
Additionally, the toolkit serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at expanding access to other markets across Africa.
Jordan Kyongo, Head of the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub at the British High Commission Nairobi, emphasized the importance of this initiative in easing market entry barriers for African entrepreneurs.
“This exercise was critical in understanding the requirements for entrepreneurs to enter different markets in the region. We are confident that this digital toolkit will be an instrument in growing Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” he stated.
The toolkit addresses challenges that entrepreneurs face across the continent, particularly regarding the complexity of regulatory requirements, certifications, and tariffs.
Entrepreneurs often need to navigate 55 different licensing systems across Africa, creating significant hurdles for market expansion. The toolkit seeks to simplify these processes, providing much-needed clarity and support.

Proparco, a French development finance institution, has announced a €10 million investment in AfricInvest’s latest fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.

Acumen has invested in Wami Agro, a Ghanaian agritech startup.

Johannesburg’s digital bank, TymeBank, is close to securing $150 million in a Series D funding round, aiming to solidify its position as Africa’s fastest-growing player.