Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire

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Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire is an entrepreneurship program initiated by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support young entrepreneurs in Côte d'Ivoire through training, mentoring, funding support and networking opportunities.
What are the main aims and objectives?

Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire aims to empower young entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to develop and grow their businesses. The program focuses on fostering innovation in key sectors of the national economy, with a particular emphasis on non-digital innovation. It seeks to promote a culture of entrepreneurship among young people aged 18 to 35, including students and young professionals, by offering training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding. Additionally, Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire places a strong emphasis on supporting female entrepreneurs, helping them overcome cultural barriers and become role models in their communities. By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, the program also strives to contribute to responsible consumption, quality education, gender equality, and economic growth, ultimately aiming to create a more competitive and inclusive economy in Côte d'Ivoire.

How does the program work?

The program runs in cohorts, with each cohort lasting about 6 months. During this period, participants receive comprehensive support to develop their business ideas and skills.

Key Components:

  • Training and Capacity Building: Entrepreneurs receive specialized training, workshops, and masterclasses to enhance their entrepreneurial and professional skills.
  • Mentorship: Participants are paired with mentors who provide guidance and support throughout the program.
  • Networking Opportunities: The program facilitates connections between entrepreneurs, mentors, potential partners, and investors.
  • Funding Support: Orange Corners provides two types of funding. Firstly, there is prototype funding of which 260 million FCFA has been distributed so far. Secondly, about 200 million FCFA has been allocated to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses through seed funding.
  • Focus Areas: The program targets innovative projects in key sectors of Côte d'Ivoire's economy, including agri-food, transport and logistics, circular economy, renewable energy, and smart cities.
  • Selection Process: Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire uses a competitive application process. They conduct calls for applications online and organize "Inspiration" and "dare to dream" tours in universities across the country to encourage applications.

Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire has taken several steps to tailor its program to the needs of women entrepreneurs:

  • Targeted recruitment: The program conducts outreach tours specifically in female ecosystems during recruitment to reach more women entrepreneurs.
  • Adapted communication: They use accessible language and visual communication to better connect with potential female participants.
  • Confidence building: Special activities and events including “OC4HER” are organized to boost the confidence of women entrepreneurs.
  • Mindset development: The program works on changing mindsets to help women entrepreneurs become more comfortable leading teams that include men.
  • Community building: Women from across the entrepreneurial community are brought together to support each other.
  • Gender sensitivity training: A project was implemented to enhance gender-sensitive approaches within the Orange Corners incubation program in Côte d'Ivoire. This provided training to all program leaders to ensure their delivery was suited to the needs of women entrepreneurs. 
What is the overall cost?

The program has distributed at least 460 million CFAF (approx. $780,000) through the prototyping fund and the seed fund. 

How was it implemented?

Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire was created as part of a broader initiative by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support young entrepreneurs in various countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The program was specifically launched in Côte d'Ivoire in July 2019.

The creation of Orange Corners Côte d'Ivoire was a collaborative effort between the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP), a consulting firm with expertise in supporting entrepreneurs in Africa and the Caribbean. The Netherlands entrusted ESP with the management and implementation of the program in Côte d'Ivoire, leveraging their local knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship development.

What impact has been measured?

By the end of 2023 the program had:

  • Trained and supported almost 200 entrepreneurs
  • Distributed more than 260 million CFAF in prototyping funds (approx. $440,000)
  • Distributed more than 200 million CFAF in seed funds (approx. $340,000)
  • Created more than 200 direct jobs

CURATED BY

Tom Hancock

Research Associate
Global Entrepreneurship Network
United Kingdom