IYBA-SEED

By 2035, Africa’s working-age population will grow by 450 million, yet its economies are forecast to create only 100 million new jobs. Therefore, a significant proportion of young people aged 15 to 24 are facing unemployment and underemployment. In this context, although the entrepreneurial spirit is strong on the continent, young people and women entrepreneurs face major structural barriers: limited access to support services, finance, markets and a favourable regulatory environment.

Paradoxically, Africa also has one of the highest rates of women entrepreneurs in the world, revealing considerable potential for job creation and poverty reduction through economic empowerment. However, without a structured and connected entrepreneurial ecosystem, this potential remains insufficiently exploited.

IYBA-SEED responds to this challenge by contributing to the creation of decent jobs for youth and women, not only by intervening at the individual level, but by sustainably strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystems in which these companies operate.

IYBA-SEED adopts a holistic ecosystem approach, considering entrepreneurship as the result of interactions between public, private, financial, educational and institutional actors. Therefore, we work with a diverse network of actors, including entrepreneurship support organisations (ESOs), financial institutions, innovation hubs, and public agencies. Our focus spans high-growth sectors: green economy, renewable energy, agriculture, mobility, tourism, and the social economy. The programme focuses on:

• Capacity building: Strengthening and connecting ecosystems through collaborative networks.

• Policy support: Improving the business environment by contributing to rules and regulations.

• Entrepreneurial culture: Promoting and fostering an inclusive culture of innovation.

• Knowledge management: Compiling and disseminating best practices through ecosystem mapping.

The IYBA-SEED project operates across five African nations. Within this framework, SNV leverages its deep local expertise to lead and implement activities in Benin and Kenya, while collaborating with regional partners.

Benin

In Benin, SNV serves as the country lead, coordinating with Expertise France to strengthen the start-up landscape. Our work is concentrated in the southern regions to maximise impact in high-potential economic hubs:

• Target regions: Mono, Atlantique, Littoral, and Ouémé.

• Focus: Leading the "Business Environment" component, improving public-private dialogues, and ensuring local regulations support young entrepreneurs. A key initiative includes the CACEPI Label, aimed at transforming education to foster an entrepreneurial mindset.

Kenya

In Kenya, SNV works to decentralise entrepreneurial support, aiming to reach underserved peri-urban and rural areas.

• Target counties: Nakuru, Kisumu, and Uasin Gishu.

• Focus: Through the Biashara Pawa ("Business Power") initiative, SNV focuses on elevating women and youth entrepreneurs in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, and technology. We partner with local hubs like EldoHub and Nakuru Box to provide mentorship and visibility.

Regional Collaboration

While SNV’s direct operational footprint is in Benin and Kenya, we maintain regional alignment and knowledge exchange with the other IYBA-SEED partner countries:

• Senegal

• South Africa

• Togo

The project’s core mission is to contribute to the creation of decent jobs and resilient economies for women of all ages and young people (aged 18-35). We achieve this by:

• Strengthening foundations: Enhancing the capacity of stakeholders, from policy-makers and civil servants to educators, financial players cultural impact influencers, support organisations, event organisers, educators, and human capital developers.

• Sustainable economic growth: Paving the way for improved opportunities through a collaborative, ecosystem-wide approach.

The IYBA-SEED project is a multi-operator, multi-donor initiative that reflects a pan-European approach to international cooperation. By pooling resources and expertise from across the continent, we ensure a holistic and sustainable impact on Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.