WIDU.africa

WIDU.africa aims to redirect remittances from the African diaspora in European partner countries through a grant into investments in small businesses in Africa. The objective is to improve the employment and income situation of small and micro businesses in Africa (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Togo and Tunisia). In addition to the WIDU grant, participating entrepreneurs receive supportive coaching measures to ensure funding is used as effectively as possible. The platform allows members of the African diaspora in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, together with friends and relatives living in participating African countries, to apply for funding for their business ideas. The focus is on small and micro businesses in the informal economy. The prerequisite is that the project partners already know and trust each other. The African diaspora also has to be prepared to invest their own funds in the local business. In addition to financial support, sponsored entrepreneurs receive three free coaching sessions customised to their individual needs. WIDU.africa is a regional project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.