Benin is - next to Uganda, Rwanda and Senegal - the fourth target country for OVO. Why Benin?
Freddy: "It meets the applied conditions at OVO: a relatively good governance of the country, the presence of partners (in this case the NGOs Louvain Cooperation, Join for Water and Via Don Bosco) and organizations like Enabel (the Belgian Development Agency). What also helps are good connections with local partners who support budding entrepreneurs."
"It makes not much sense to think of Africa as a single region: each country requires a different approach."
How valuable is OVO's experience in other countries to the initiatives in Benin?
Freddy: "Experience in other African countries is an advantage, but also no more than that. It makes little sense to look at Africa as a fairly similar area. Each country has a specific framework - especially in Africa - and thus requires its own approach."
Recycling mixed with eagerness to learn
Twelve companies attended the boost camp. What stands out?
Freddy: "It's striking that in Benin there is a lot of attention for recycling and sustainability. Especially in the agricultural sector. Many of the projects presented were based on this. At the same time, it is no surprise: while African countries are not responsible for the he world-wide problem of global warming, they are the biggest victims of it."
"In addition, all participants were incredibly motivated, transparent, entrepreneurial and eager to learn. The NGOs and Enabel are doing an excellent job there, although we notice the need for high levels of support in terms of entrepreneurship, coaching and funding."
"Each team is assigned a Belgian and a local coach who will complement and mutually reinforce each other."
Each team was assigned two coaches, one from Belgium and a local coach from Benin. Why this choice?
Freddy: "The local coaches know the local market and are fully aware of the local procedures and approach. The Belgian coaches are experienced in the field of business and financial planning. In addition, they coached African entrepreneurs before and know the OVO criteria inside out. Both coaches complement each other."
"But the projects are also supported by other people during the boost camp. Two professors from the Brussels ICHEC gave an intro in Master of Business Administration, the people from the NGOs and Enabel are on site, representatives of local banks and possible local financiers come to meet them. So the framework is quite impressive."