MEET Africa: European Mobilisation for Entrepreneurship in Africa

African migration remains particularly dynamic: it fosters both the growing integration of emigration countries into regional and international economies, and the circulation of capital, skills and networks that help the continent’s development.

The African diaspora in Europe is made up of more than 9 million members, of which 5 million reside in France. It is characterised by an active commitment to Africa’s development. Much of this diaspora is highly skilled and plays an active role in maintaining socioeconomic ties between host and home countries. These ties involve financial transfers, skill transfers, and networking among economic actors.

Fully integrating African diasporas into development strategies is not just an economic opportunity, but also an imperative for structural transformation. Their potential has already been identified, and now the challenge is to create the conditions for it to unfold fully, for the sustainable and inclusive development of the African continent.

The goal of MEET Africa is to mobilise the entrepreneurial and investment potential of African diasporas in order to boost the socioeconomic development of their countries of origin. Specifically, the programme seeks to:

• build the skills of African diaspora entrepreneurs in Europe;
• increase in that way their contributions to inclusive and sustainable African growth;
• consolidate socioeconomic relations between Africa and Europe.

MEET Africa is a programme that mobilises public and private actors in entrepreneurial ecosystems as well as entrepreneurs, to strengthen economic ties between Africa and Europe. It focuses on leveraging diaspora skills, networks, and investments for a more inclusive and resilient African economic fabric.

Currently in its third phase, the MEET Africa programme is based on two complementary priority actions:

1. Support for public and private actors to better mobilise diasporas
2. Technical and financial support for diaspora entrepreneurs and investors

This dual approach (consolidation of diaspora mobilisation ecosystems and direct support for entrepreneurs and investors) forms the backbone of the programme and offers a structured and relevant response to the challenges of mobilising diaspora skills and resources.

The MEET Africa programme falls within a continuum of actions carried out for years by the European Union and France, to promote the dynamics of wealth and job creation in Africa.

MEET Africa was launched in 2016, via a pilot phase to raise awareness among African diasporas and encourage them to create businesses in their countries of origin. During this first phase, MEET Africa supported 80 entrepreneurs from 6 African countries (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali).

Between 2020 and 2024, a second phase of the MEET Africa programme was created based on the successes of the pilot phase. Phase 2 strengthened local ecosystems of support for diaspora entrepreneurship, supported entrepreneurs in co-incubation between Europe and Africa, and introduced seed financing for supported entrepreneurs. During Phase 2, 142 entrepreneurs were supported and 116 financed in 6 countries (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia).

Phase 3 of MEET Africa is being funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by Expertise France. It aims to strengthen support for institutions and support entrepreneurs that are more mature and have a strong social and environmental impact, by integrating gender into all its activities.