Meet Africa 2

What Meet Africa 2 does

MEET Africa 2 is a development cooperation program launched in 2016 and implemented by Expertise France, a French public establishment under the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The program is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union, and operates across five African partner countries (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia) to support African diaspora entrepreneurs living in Europe and/or newly resettled on the continent who wish to create or develop businesses in their countries of origin. Its core service offering is a portfolio of branded event and capacity-building formats — MEET Ecosystem (large multi-stakeholder forums), MEET HER (women entrepreneurship events), MEET Entrepreneurs (workshops), MEET Institutions (donor and partner coordination), and DOT Landing (a 4-month intensive support program for Tunisian diaspora entrepreneurs in France) — alongside financial support via 10,000 EUR development grants and subsequent acceleration grants, plus a free online training course on the Campus AFD platform and published knowledge products including a white paper and a cross-country benchmarking study.

Underlying the program is a methodology for mobilizing and accompanying diaspora entrepreneurship across the dual Africa-Europe space, codified through diagnostic tools, capacity-building workshops, and acceleration grant mechanisms. Distribution is delivered via country-specific in-country events, hybrid online/in-person sessions (notably the DOT Landing sessions in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon), and a broad network of partners that includes diaspora associations (ATUGE, RIDD), country government ministries and diaspora directorates (MINREX, DGASE, DGD, DER/FJ), investment promotion agencies (FIPA, APIX, CEPICI), incubators and support structures (Marseille Innovation, LABESS, Résonance Nord-Sud, Smart Capital, AFKAR), and international development partners (IOM, GIZ, SWISSCONTACT, CGEM/MeM).

The business model is non-commercial: MEET Africa 2 charges no fees to beneficiaries and does not generate revenue. It is funded through institutional grants from AFD and the EU and implemented as part of France's international technical cooperation, with a Phase 3 (2025-2028) already announced. Since launch, the program reports having accompanied 222 entrepreneur projects, financed 116 through grants, and reached more than 5,000 people through workshops and events across the five partner countries.

Name

Meet Africa 2

Legal name

Expertise France

Website

https://meetafrica.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MEET Africa 2 is an EU- and AFD-funded development program implemented by Expertise France that supports African diaspora entrepreneurs in five partner countries (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia) via events, workshops, grants, and training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diaspora Entrepreneurship Development Programs

NAICS

Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Country Development Assistance Programs (Bilateral ODA) (BPADABAA)

Keywords

• Diaspora entrepreneurship support
• Capacity building programs
• Entrepreneur grant funding
• Cross-border business development
• Africa-Europe entrepreneur programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Development Program Funding: MEET Africa 2 is a development cooperation program funded by the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD), implemented by Expertise France. The program provides technical assistance, capacity building, and acceleration grants to diaspora entrepreneurs at no cost to beneficiaries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MEET Africa 2 is a development cooperation program that supports African diaspora entrepreneurs seeking to launch or grow businesses in their countries of origin between Europe and Africa. It delivers capacity-building workshops, ecosystem networking events, women's entrepreneurship initiatives, technical assistance to institutions, and direct grant funding (10,000 EUR development grants and acceleration grants) at no cost to beneficiaries. The program is implemented by Expertise France and funded by the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD), operating across five partner countries: Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Product overview

MEET Africa 2 is a diaspora entrepreneurship support ecosystem operated by Expertise France across five African countries (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia). The program does not offer a technology platform but rather provides a suite of event-based programs including MEET Ecosystem (large networking events), MEET HER (women's entrepreneurship events), MEET Entrepreneurs (workshops), MEET Institutions (partner coordination), and DOT Landing (Tunisian diaspora accelerator). Financial support is provided through Development Grants (10,000 EUR) and Acceleration Grants. The program also offers free training courses and knowledge resources including white papers and benchmarks on diaspora entrepreneurship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MEET Africa Program A diaspora entrepreneurship support program between Europe and Africa that provides capacity building, networking events, mentorship, and grant funding to African diaspora entrepreneurs across five partner countries.
• MEET Ecosystem Events Large-scale events bringing together entrepreneurs, institutions, local authorities, support structures, and financing structures to learn, dialogue, connect and enhance skills through workshops, round tables, and networking.
• MEET HER Events Events dedicated to women's entrepreneurship in the diaspora, designed to inform, finance, and connect women entrepreneurs through panels, workshops, pitch sessions, and networking.
• MEET Entrepreneurs Workshops Workshops for diaspora entrepreneurs focusing on the entrepreneurial journey, mapping needs, feedback on support offerings, and connecting entrepreneurs with institutional support systems.
• MEET Institutions Events Events dedicated to institutions, donors, and development partners who support diaspora entrepreneurship, facilitating exchanges and collaboration between all actors involved.
• DOT Landing Program A 4-month intensive support program for Tunisian diaspora entrepreneurs in France, offering a collaborative learning environment, personalized assistance, and exclusive networking opportunities through information sessions in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.
• Development Grant (10,000 EUR) Initial grant funding of 10,000 euros provided to winning entrepreneurs in the MEET Africa program to support business development, with 140 entrepreneurs receiving development grants during the program.
• Acceleration Grant Second phase grant funding for MEET Africa winners to accelerate and scale their business projects, replacing the initial development grant model as the program transitioned to an acceleration focus.
• Online Training Course on Diaspora Entrepreneurship Free online training course titled 'Mobilizing and supporting diaspora entrepreneurship' designed to help organizations support diaspora entrepreneurship, available on the Campus AFD platform.
• White Paper on Diaspora Entrepreneurship A comprehensive document sharing initiatives and issues identified during MEET Africa 2 program activities, providing insights on how to develop and support diaspora entrepreneurship.
• Benchmark of Diaspora Mobilization Practices Research document comparing practices for mobilizing and supporting entrepreneurial diasporas across the five partner countries (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia).

Quantifiable outcome

• 222 projects supported and 116 financed since 2016, with 5000+ people reached through events and workshops

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Expertise FrancecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2016Implementing organization responsible for program execution. Expertise France is the French Agency for International Technical Expertise, a public establishment under the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
• The Dot (Tunisia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTunisian partner organization implementing DOT Landing program for Tunisian diaspora entrepreneurs. Co-developer of diaspora entrepreneurship support activities in Tunisia.
• FIPA Tunisia (Foreign Investment Promotion Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner for MEET Ecosystem Tunisia event. FIPA-Tunisia is responsible for providing support to foreign investors and promoting foreign investment in Tunisia.
• ATUGE FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Tunisians from Grandes Ecoles in France. Partner in DOT Landing program and Tunisia Global Forum. Connects Tunisian diaspora professionals.
• Fondation Tunisie pour le DéveloppementmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DOT Landing program supporting Tunisian diaspora entrepreneurs.
• CGEM / MeM by CGEMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConfederation Générale des Entreprises du Maroc. MeM (Maroc en Monde) is the 13th region of CGEM connecting Moroccan entrepreneurs worldwide. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Morocco and MEET Her Morocco events.
• MINREX (Cameroon Ministry of External Relations)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for MEET Ecosystem Cameroon. Government ministry responsible for diaspora relations and diaspora entrepreneurship policy.
• FEICOM (Cameroon)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFonds d'Intervention pour l'Environnement, les Collectivités Territoriales et le Marigot. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Cameroon focusing on decentralized local authorities.
• DGD (Direction Générale de la Diaspora - Côte d'Ivoire)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirection Générale de la Diaspora attached to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Responsible for implementing diaspora integration policies. Main partner for MEET Ecosystem Côte d'Ivoire.
• PariSénégalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for MEET Her Senegal event. Organization connecting Senegalese diaspora with home country opportunities.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Organization for Migration. Partner for MEET Institutions Tunisia, contributing to diaspora entrepreneurship support discussions.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency. Partner for MEET Institutions Tunisia and MEET SAE Tunisia events on diaspora entrepreneurship.
• Smart Capital (Tunisia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTunisian investment fund and startup support organization. Partner for MEET SAE Tunisia event.
• LABESSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport structure for diaspora entrepreneurship in Tunisia. Partner for MEET SAE Tunisia event.
• AFKARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport structure for diaspora entrepreneurship in Tunisia. Partner for MEET SAE Tunisia event.
• SWISSCONTACTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss development organization. Partner for MEET Institutions Tunisia event.
• Résonance Nord-SudminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench-Cameroonian consortium and impact business incubator for Africa. Partner organization for Les Rencontres Nord-Sud event.
• Marseille InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness incubator in Marseille. Partner for DOT Landing Marseille event for Tunisian diaspora entrepreneurs.
• Bossy MatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Lady Business Club connecting women entrepreneurs through events and personalized support. Partner for MEET Her Tunisia.
• DGASE (Direction Générale d'Appui aux Sénégalais de l'Extérieur)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body supporting Senegalese abroad. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Senegal.
• ADEPME (Senegal)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgence de Développement et d'Encadrement des Petites et Moyennes entreprises. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Senegal.
• DER/FJ (Délégation Générale à l'Entrepreneuriat Rapide des Femmes et des Jeunes)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment delegation for youth and women entrepreneurship in Senegal. Partner for MEET Ecosystem and MEET Her Senegal.
• APIX (Senegal)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgence Nationale chargée de la Promotion de l'Investissement et des Grands Travaux. Investment promotion agency. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Senegal.
• FONGIP (Senegal)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFonds de garantie des investissements prioritaires. Guarantee fund. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Senegal.
• CEPICI (Côte d'Ivoire)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d'Ivoire. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Côte d'Ivoire.
• 225-33 Le ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness support structure in Côte d'Ivoire. Partner for MEET Ecosystem Côte d'Ivoire.
• RIDD (Réseau Ivoirien des Diplômés de la Diaspora)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional network of Ivorian diaspora graduates. Co-organizer of ADESTIV awards. Partner for student diaspora events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Proparco: AFD's private-sector subsidiary financing African SMEs and startups through equity, loans, and guarantees. Proparco represents the natural next-tier capital partner for graduated MEET Africa 2 winners and operates comparable entrepreneur-support instruments in the same 5 partner countries.
• African Development Bank (AfDB) - Diaspora Programs: AfDB operates the 'Diaspora Investment in Africa' initiative and similar programs designed to mobilize diaspora capital and entrepreneurship for African development. Comparable in mandate (diaspora mobilization) and continental reach, but operates at much larger scale and from a multilateral position.
• Expertise France: The French public agency that actually implements MEET Africa 2 and operates a portfolio of 30+ technical-assistance programs covering health, governance, education, and economic development. Expertise France is the structural parent and the most direct institutional incumbent running the program.
• Endeavor: Global high-impact entrepreneurship support organization operating selection-based programs, mentorship, and founder networks across emerging markets including Africa and MENA. Endeavor's model of identifying and supporting high-growth entrepreneurs through curated networks parallels MEET Africa 2's curated grant cohorts.
• AFD (Agence Française de Développement): Primary funder of MEET Africa 2 and one of Europe's largest bilateral development agencies. AFD finances a portfolio of diaspora, private-sector, and skills-development programs that conceptually overlap with MEET Africa 2's mission across francophone Africa.

Direct peers

• The Dot (Tunisia): Tunisian impact-focused startup support organization and core co-developer of MEET Africa 2's DOT Landing program. The Dot directly supports Tunisian and diaspora entrepreneurs through similar capacity-building, networking, and acceleration services, operating as the closest in-country peer.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration): UN migration agency operating the 'Migration for Development in Africa' (MIDA) program and diaspora engagement initiatives across the continent. IOM is a current MEET Africa partner and runs analogous technical-assistance frameworks that mobilize diaspora skills and capital for home-country development.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): Germany's federal development agency implements comparable diaspora entrepreneurship and migration-for-development programs (e.g., 'Migration & Diaspora' portfolio, 'Programme Migration for Development' in Africa). Already a partner on MEET Institutions Tunisia, GIZ operates the most direct functional parallel: bilateral agency delivering technical assistance, capacity building, and ecosystem events to diaspora entrepreneurs across multiple African countries.
• Swisscontact: Swiss foundation for development cooperation running entrepreneurship promotion programs across Africa and the MENA region. A current partner of MEET Africa 2 in Tunisia, Swisscontact delivers similarly structured capacity-building, skills training, and SME acceleration programs targeting diaspora and local entrepreneurs.

Emerging players

• Briter Bridges: Data and intelligence platform focused on African entrepreneurship ecosystems, including diaspora entrepreneur mapping. Briter Bridges represents an emerging, more data-driven and commercial complement to MEET Africa 2's event-based engagement model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MeetAfrica2
• Facebookfacebook.com/MeetAfrica2
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/meet-africa-2
• Instagraminstagram.com/meetafrica2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Meet Africa 2