Marseille: The Emerging Valley Summit, taking place in Marseille, is set to showcase the vibrant and rapidly evolving African tech ecosystem, with a special focus on female and youth entrepreneurship. The event promises to be a significant platform for discussing the future of technology in Africa and the role of diverse entrepreneurs in shaping this landscape.
According to Africa News Agency, the summit will feature sessions dedicated to celebrating the achievements of female entrepreneurs in the African tech scene. These sessions, including a bootcamp developed in partnership with AFD’s Social and Inclusive Business Camp (SIBC), aim to shed light on how women and young entrepreneurs are revolutionizing sectors like fintech, digital health, and education. However, the ecosystem faces challenges, including a notable decline in venture capital funding, as reported by Disrupt Africa, with fundraising in the African VC market dropping by 52.4% to just over $1 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The summit will address these issues through roundtables and workshops, seeking practical solutions to stimulate investment in African startups.
Marseille’s role as a bridge between Europe and Africa is also a focal point of the summit. Past collaborations between African and European startups, facilitated through acceleration programs and research partnerships, will be highlighted. The Provence-Africa Connect program, part of Emerging Valley, exemplifies this dynamic, fostering support for African startups in Provence.
The seventh edition of the summit features discussions on cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and AI. Prominent global innovation figures from Europe and Africa, including Hafsat Abiola, Victor Otieno Agolla, Jean-David Malo, Claude Borna, and Maeva Kpadonou, will participate alongside disruptors like Bamba Lo and Mathias Léopoldie, and influential VCs impacting Africa.
In terms of Franco-African relations, the summit underlines the importance of the partnership between the Bouches-du-Rhône Regional Council and Kenya. This partnership, evident in hosting Kenyan athletes for the 2024 Olympics, symbolizes deeper cultural and economic connections. The session on the Olympic Games, featuring renowned athletes like David Rudisha and Eliud Kipchoge, will explore these links.
Emerging Valley’s collaboration with French Tech Nairobi brings Kenyan startups to Marseille, strengthening the technology bridge between the two regions. Asilimia, a Nairobi-based fintech company, is a prime example of this initiative.
The role of the African diaspora in France in co-development is another key topic. Panels with representatives from MEET Africa and Kedge Business School’s Diaspora program will discuss the diaspora’s impact. Furthermore, the summit explores the role of the French language and culture in fostering technological innovation and creativity within Francophone ecosystems, with contributions from agencies like Expertise France and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie.
Emerging Valley 2023 thus stands as a testament to the resilient and innovative spirit of the African tech ecosystem, fostering discussions and collaborations that span continents and cultures.