International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Visit Highlights

Adamou Yazi amazed by a 3D printed mask at Illinois Institute of Technology
Photo Credit: Yazi amazed by a 3D printed mask at Illinois Institute of Technology
From August 11th to 29th, I participated to the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.105 leaders attended this program from Africa, Europe, Indo-pacific, Near East and North Africa, Western Hemisphere.
Adamou
Yazi

From August 11th to 29th, I participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and organized by Meridian International Center in partnership with Global Ties U.S.  namely WorldOrlando and WorldoChicago. The program included 105 leaders from Africa, Europe, Indo-pacific, Near East and North Africa, Western Hemisphere. The theme of the program was “Entrepreneurship as Engine of Prosperity and Stability: Small Business Development” A regional Project for Africa. During our visit in Washington DC, Orlando, and Chicago, we observed aspects of American social, economic, political, cultural and educational institutions and practices through meetings, workshops, seminars, site visits, and home hospitality. Additionally, we visited historic sites and scenic areas and attend cultural events.

Takeaways from this program.

  1. The formation process of the Federation based on Its history up to its independence makes the United States of America a great experiment and a democratic country in real.
  2. There is intentionality and strategic planning to support entrepreneurs at each stage of their journey from the federal government level to the counties level.
  3. Intentional Private-Private Partnerships with like-minded and complementary institutions are key for an ecosystem that aims to efficiently support entrepreneurs at each stage of development.
  4. Chamber of Commerce functions as trade union and it is not linked to the Department of Commerce like as it is in Niger.
  5. Home hospitality is a great opportunity to interact with people in “real” life context.
  6. Opportunities exist but one must do their homework and be eager to seize them.

I am the President of Niger Business Angels Network. The organization works with hundreds of new and established female entrepreneurs to help them develop, and advocates to increase the number of women-owned and operated enterprises in Niger. I am also the Director of ACCEntrepreneur, a Nigerien Independent Training Center in Business and Entrepreneurship. In this role, I train and mentor young people as well as women in entrepreneurship through an incubation program. I support their entrepreneurial development from idea conception to launch, providing them with the tools to be investment ready. 

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts.

Each year nearly 5,000 International Visitors come to the U.S. on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

I express my gratitude to the Public Diplomacy Officer and staff of the U.S Embassy in Niamey for nominating me on this program “Entrepreneurship as Engine of Prosperity and Stability: Small Business Development.”  My gratitude goes also to the U.S. Department of State, to the organizers, to the partners, to the host family, to the volunteers, to the liaison persons and interpreters, and to the fellow participants.  The program has helped me personally build my reputation and professionally it was a great opportunity to learn best practices, and to make connections that help consolidate the program with women entrepreneurs in Niger and to expand it in nationwide.