Paris collaborates with Dakar to support the next generation of creative entrepreneurs
Carine Camors and Odile Soulard from Institut Paris Region reveal their collaboration with Teranga Tech Incub’ Network in Sénégal.
The Purpose
Boosting jobs and the creative economy in Sénégal’s capital Dakar.
From training robotics in schools to offering free workspace, the Teranga Tech Incub’ is a network of incubator spaces to help young entrepreneurs flourish in Sénégal. It was launched in 2018 by The French Embassy in Sénégal through the Institut Francais du Sénégal, the governmental organisation supporting French language and culture internationally.
The Teranga Tech Incubator in Dakar specializes in supporting young entrepreneurs who work in culture and creative industries. It draws upon the expertise of the French Institute to help young people transform their creative activity into new business and entrepreneurial success.
The Challenge
80% of Sénégal’s economic activities are concentrated in Dakar. The capital is home to headquarters of major financial and banking institutions, such as the Bank of Sénégal and CBAO Sénégal, which serve all of Francophone West Africa.
Dakar is a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts, and it has well-developed cultural infrastructure, particularly museums, galleries and theatres. However, it is key that the City of Dakar can offer support to creative entrepreneurs, including education, digital skills and training opportunities, to unlock future economic growth through culture.
The Solution
The establishment of creative incubators and affordable workspaces in Dakar based on the successful models and experience of the Institut Paris Region.
The Teranga Tech Incub’ in Dakar is supporting a cohort of six entrepreneurs through a six-month mentorship programme. In October 2023, Dakar entrepreneurs visited Paris to learn about their creative incubator projects including:
La Tréso, a cooperative workspace for creative production, including spaces for craft-making, cooking, exhibitions and digital facilities. A former municipal library, the building was renovated into a multi-functional incubation space and re-opened in 2016 for people of all backgrounds looking to develop their creative skills.
La Gaîté Lyrique, a cultural venue that convenes artists, activists and change-makers to discuss pressing issues – from social democracy to the climate emergency. Its ‘Fabrique de l’ époque’ (Factory of our time) project, seeks to move ideas into action, by hosting roundtable discussions, concerts, workshops and film screenings.
In January 2024, Paris Institut Region visited Dakar to learn more about the entrepreneurs’ innovative projects.
The Impact
The Teranga Tech Incub’ Network in Dakar has so far supported three cohorts of entrepreneurs to deliver a range of projects including:
Ashita – a training program for kids teaching skills in robotics, digital art and computer science. Founded by Marie Pierre Thiam to ignite young people’s interest in science and technology, Ashita runs educational workshops across Senegal.
Kucibok – the first peer-to-peer NFTs (non-fungible tokens) marketplace for African Art. It is enabling regional artists to gain visibility abroad and is revolutionizing the way digital art is created, traded and valued across the continent.
Bonjour Senegal – an online travel company started by Ndèye Aminata Voyel promoting tourism in Senegal. The company provides travel plans and special offers from local business partners for its 30,000 online community members.
Donatelacrea – an online boutique shop selling clothes, jewellery and luxury handbags. Founded by Donatela Epouhe, the retail platform celebrates quality craftsmanship and fashion, balancing modern elegance with traditional African influences.
