Ouagadougou: The second edition of "Connect'Finance: Make Your Idea a Reality, Boost Your Business!" was inaugurated in Kaya, chaired by the Governor of the Kouls© Region, represented by the Region's Secretary General, Bernadette Ad©nyo/Serm©. This event, organized by the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in a consortium, focused on financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, gathering 400 stakeholders from the region for two days.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the program featured masterclasses on business financing, business model canvas, pitching, and credit access. Additionally, it included multi-stakeholder panels, B2B meetings with entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and incubators, and a roundtable on the business financing environment. These sessions aimed to enhance the skills and partnerships within the Kouls© entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Participants included young people, women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and managers of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives. They engaged in discussions with financial and microfinance institutions, national funds, support structures, decentralized state services, and regional entrepreneurs.

The region's secretary general emphasized the initiative's importance in economic reconstruction, stating that entrepreneurship is a key driver for job creation, income generation, and social stability. It also addresses the integration challenges faced by young people, women, and displaced persons.

Joost Noordholland De Jong, Enabel's country director for Burkina Faso and Mali, outlined the initiative's goals as a platform for learning, idea exchange, and business advancement opportunities. He reaffirmed Enabel's commitment to fostering a more inclusive and resilient local economy in Burkina Faso.

Amina Dianda, the 2nd Vice-President of the Special Delegation of Kaya, highlighted the region's entrepreneurial potential and advocated for stronger connections between entrepreneurs and financial institutions.

The Kaya edition follows a previous event in Tenkodogo and aligns with the National Inclusive Finance Strategy (SNFI). It is part of efforts to strengthen socio-economic resilience in the Centre-North region and is supported by partners like Trias, the Burkina Faso Business House, NGO Autre Terre, and local actors.