Februrary 2020
NABIKO BOOT CAMP - CAMEROON, Yaoundé, 24 - 28.02.2020
SEEDS e.V. together with O'BOTAMA Yaoundé, CAMEROON
This is the week-long event that kicked off the NABIKO mentoring program of SEEDS e.V. network and O'BOTAMA incubator.
PAST EVENTS
The SEEDS Think-Tank 2025 is the PHYSICAL event that focused on Diverging Economical Interests between European and African Countries when Building Sustainable growth in Africa and explored the role of the Diaspora in shaping this future.
The event, held on March 8th, 2025, started with networking and an engaging opening, setting the stage for meaningful discussions. The first session provided key insights from SEEDS, laying the foundation for the crucial conversations ahead.
CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN OF VALUE
Participants perspective generated live, 8th March 2025
Celebrating Women’s Impact
Coinciding with International Women's Day, the event took time to highlight the significant role of African women in economic and social development. Key statistics showed that:
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58% of Africa’s self-employed population are women.
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Women perform 30% of agricultural activities yet produce 60-70% of the food supply in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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90% of African women’s income is reinvested in their families.
Participants honored strong, inspirational women, including mothers, mentors, and Dr. Gwladys Awo, from Hamburg - Germany, recognizing their contributions to society.
Debating Investment Trends IN AFRICA: Raw Materials vs. Industrialization
Discussions began by analysing scientific studies showing that actual amount of investment in Africa is largely focused on raw materials rather than industrialization, despite the continent’s pressing need for the latter. The participants engaged in an intense debate about why Africa remains an exporter of raw products rather than manufactured goods.
Several perspectives emerged:
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Some pointed to poor governance as the root cause.
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Others highlighted the weaknesses in Africa’s education systems, which do not train people in processing and manufacturing.
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A recurring concern was the lack of electricity and infrastructure to support industries.
Mr. Thierry Djeumo raised an essential point:
We cannot talk about industrialization without considering the need for education in emerging technologies. Our education systems must prepare us not just to produce but to innovate and transform our own resources.
The Education Deficit: A Structural Challenge?
Education in many African countries remains highly theoretical. Unlike in Western systems, in Africa emphasis on teamwork and hands-on projects that foster real innovation is poor or non-existant.
When asked what explains the deficiencies in Africa’s education system, Prof. Gael Pentang mentionned in her analysis that:
Africa faces a different set of priorities compared to Europe. We are not just dealing with education gaps, but with fundamental problems: lack of infrastructure, job scarcity, and poverty reduction. Universities in Africa are educating students who often struggle with basic survival — How can we expect them to concentrate on industrialization or entrepreneurship when they are struggling with hunger
This triggered a vigorous exchange.
The Role of the Diaspora
While many agreed that education is a weak link, others argued that even when the Diaspora tries to invest in infrastructure and education, corruption and self-interest on the ground become major obstacles.
According to the World Bank, the African Diaspora sends billions in remittances each year—enough to fund transformative projects across multiple sectors.
But instead of these funds being utilized effectively, we see money being diverted for short-term personal gain rather than long-term development - Dr. Jules Keghie
Some insisted that mindset remains a key barrier:
Yes, poverty exists, but there are also individuals in Africa who live comfortably. Why don’t they invest in collective projects when they receive diaspora funds? Why is short-term survival prioritised over long-term progress? We don't need the whole Africa, just a few great-minded individuals, and I am sure we can find them. - Marie Koumedjro
Ensuring Transparency & Financial Education
A common consensus was reached: financial education is crucial for both investors in the Diaspora and co-actors on the continent to ensure accountability and effective resource management.
The Diaspora must not only send money but establish controlled organizations that manage investments transparently. A structured joint effort could ensure funds are properly allocated, reducing the constant fear of being deceived.
Despite the risks involved in financial investment, the participants agreed that having a transparent mechanism to track failures and successes would encourage more engagement from the Diaspora.
The SEEDS THINK-TANK 2025 concluded with a clear message:
THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IS EAGER AND OPEN TO FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THESE CHALLENGES. IT REMAINS COMMITTED TO PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN FINANCING AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT, RATHER THAN LEAVING IT SOLELY TO GOVERNMENTS, WESTERN AID FUNDS — ESPECIALLY WHEN EUROPEAN AND AFRICAN ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OFTEN DIVERGE.
The event underscored the need for a shift from remittances to structured investments, a focus on education and transparency, and a collective effort to bridge the gap between the Diaspora’s financial power and Africa’s development needs.
Read more about these discussions in our blog article!
The boot camp for the third edition of the NABIKO mentorship program was held in Douala, Cameroon, from May 21 to 24, 2024.
Ten laureates from Togo, Benin, and Cameroon, active in the fields of education, health, agribusiness, and creative industries, were selected to participate. These include ADU Collection, AKADI, Africa Food and Business, Aromatics Herbs and Spices (AroHS), F-PROVEST, GALOBE, LACHTEL, NECPLAST Sarl, Nova Blooms, and Sedami La Reine des Champignons. They were accompanied by about ten mentors, experts from various fields or entrepreneurs from the diaspora, as well as experts from O'Botama, co-organizer of the program. Their primary goal was to offer startups an intensive learning, mentoring, and networking environment to accelerate their growth.
The program began with an open-to-the-public launch day. Various stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem were present: entrepreneurs, alumni from previous editions of NABIKO, media, and more. During the opening ceremony, the program initiators presented its vision, objectives for the laureates in particular, and young African entrepreneurs in general.
Access to Financing: A Major Challenge
One of the main themes discussed was the difficulty for French-speaking African startups to access international funding.
"The total amount of investment on the continent in 2023 was 3.5 billion FCFA, invested in African startups. This figure is down 45% from 2022, when investments were around 15 billion FCFA. And this downward trend is expected to continue, according to forecasts." — Blandine NGANSO
One reason cited for this situation is that investors have become more cautious due to poor fund management by some startups. This highlights the importance of multiplying initiatives like NABIKO to support African entrepreneurs and reduce international investors' skepticism toward them.
"Startups struggle with discipline and professionalism in project preparation—how to define it, plan a business plan, fund activities. There’s a missing level compared to startups in Europe or Asia. It’s not due to a lack of technical understanding, but because they don’t seek professional guidance. European startups, however, do. It’s a significant gap we need to address. We have local and diaspora professionals ready to support these local businesses."
— Dr. Armel DJEUKOU
The alumni, including Novalie HOUNGBEDJI (Aliments Benin), Flambel SANOU (Yaba In), and Leonel OTTOU ETOUNDI (OuiCare), emphasized the importance for the laureates to seize this opportunity during and after the boot camp, laying solid foundations for their startups to achieve their objectives.
Training: Practical Workshops
During the week, participants also had the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and work on several themes to refine different aspects of their projects with the guidance of experienced mentors. Full-day workshops were followed by small-group sessions focused on practical case studies, with insights and recommendations discussed on the posed issues. Participants particularly appreciated these working methods.
"Having about twenty minds focused on brainstorming for your startup gives you perspectives you wouldn’t have on your own. After a brainstorming session with more experienced people or those with different backgrounds, you come out with a lot of efficient solutions."
The boot camp also highlighted the importance of being realistic in all objectives, action plans, and especially funding needs often presented to investors. It is essential to start with what you have, prove oneself, get organized, structure, grow, be rigorous in management, expand the market, and have quality products. Some phrases were repeated so often that they became a slogan.
"On ne dure pas dans mauvais rêve !" — Dr. Randolf ODI
Forecasts for the Laureates
After this intensive week of work, four startups received a grant of 1,500 euros. All ten startups then enter a mentoring phase that lasts about eight months, aiming to improve company management and prepare entrepreneurs for fundraising. Thanks to this program, these young entrepreneurs will be better equipped to face the challenges of entrepreneurship in Africa while contributing to the economy of their countries.
To recap, NABIKO is a mentorship program organized by the German association SEEDS and the Collaborative Innovation Workshop (AIC) O'Botama. This edition was organized with partners such as Etrilabs, the Deichmann Foundation, and GIZ. The support is mainly remote, especially as the program is gradually expanding to other African countries. The boot camp is the only in-person phase, bringing together laureates chosen after a rigorous selection process. Beyond the application criteria, NABIKO pays particular attention to projects with a tech component, environmental protection, or social impact through job creation or the use of local resources.
The SEEDS Think-Tank 2023 is the PHYSICAL event that focused on catalyzing Africa's economic growth and entrepreneurship impact through the contribution of its diaspora.
The event, held on December 2, 2023, highlighted the challenges in African startup funding, with only 1.2% of global funding raised in 2022. The panel discussion addressed issues such as funding disparities in French-speaking countries, sector-specific funding challenges, gender imbalances, and the potential of local resources.
Four collaborative work sessions explored how the African diaspora ecosystem could unite for a more significant entrepreneurship impact, focusing on technologies, finances, resources, competences, and authorities and regulations.
Key outcomes about the SEEDS Think-Tank 2023 are outlined in our blog article titled "CATALYZING AFRICA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IMPACT" by Steve Pentang.
These key outcomes included recommendations to focus on sustainable energy in the technologies sector, raising awareness of energy consumption, and creating a platform for information and education. In finances, efforts were directed towards raising awareness, diversifying investments, and fostering a real network. The resources and competences session emphasized customer-oriented approaches, exploring unused potential, and reinforcing mentoring programs. The authorities and regulations group highlighted the importance of understanding legal frameworks and creating regulations to attract more investment.
The event concluded with a networking session, fostering meaningful connections among participants. The main takeaways, that can be found here, included actionable ideas and solutions to amplify the impact of the African diaspora on entrepreneurship in Africa. The success of the event laid the foundation for future initiatives and collaborations, with participants expressing enthusiasm for the transformative insights gained.
Stay tuned for the next SEEDS Think Tank the next year!
April 2022
NABIKO BOOT CAMP - CAMEROON, Yaoundé, 18 - 24.04.2022
SEEDS e.V. together with O'BOTAMA Yaoundé, CAMEROON
This year's bootcamp started with a welcome day opened to the public on April 18, 2022 and welcomed a very mixed professional blend of attendees. Experienced entrepreneurs, young startups, academics and more.
The second part of this event, that went from 19-24 April was centered around the acceleration of the projects of 10 previously selected startups in closed working sessions with mentors and experts active in Cameroon and abroad.
© 2022 by SEEDS e.V.
WELCOME DAY
A quick summary of the actors who took a part in the planning and materialization this year's NABIKO project and were present:
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The-SEEDS.net team, with Steve Pentang, together with Dr. Armel Djeukou, Blandine Nganso, and Dr. Gael Tchoukio.
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The O'BOTAMA incubator, acting as the local partner implementing the mentoring program in Cameroon.
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Most importantly, African experts from the diaspora in fields of informatics, healthcare, finances, marketing, transportation, telecommunication, and more who served as mentors: Papdo Kouam, Dr. Randolf Odi, Evariste Happi, Merlin Tonka, Divine Winter, Dr. Jules Keghie, Yawo Afande, Laurentine Anaba, Thierry Djeumo, Dr. Chuembou Pekam, Omer Dotou, Laurette Odi, Merlin Tamboula.
ROLLING UP THE SLEEVES THROUGH THE WEEK
The rest of the week was devoted to an intensive schedule of presentations, workshops, and inspirational talks. All material was carefully designed to help startups get the most out of their time in the boot camp. The 10 selected startups were:
WOFIL | MBOU TECH | SAFERTECH | ALIMENTS BENIN | ELOH FARMS AFRICA
D&D ENTREPRISE | NUTRIMAXX ENTREPRISE | STA-SARL | SCOPE | AKINTOLA AGRIBUSINESS
Having met their mentors for the first time on Welcome Day, the rest of the Boot Camp was centered around helping the startups get a better vision of their projects and themselves as entrepreneurs.
WHAT’S NEXT?
On the last day, startups hopped on trains, caught busses and took planes back to their home cities and countries.
Over the next eight months, the startups will communicate with their mentors via online platforms to set goals, measure progress, and grow, grow, grow!
March 2020
SEEDS THINK-TANK - germany, munich, 27 march 2021
This is the LIVE + DIGITAL event that shared the lessons learned of the NABIKO mentoring program 2019/2020.
HERE'S WHAT
HAPPENED
AT SEEDS THINK TANK 2021
Nothing can replace human interaction, but the power of online allowed us to bring details of SEEDS activities to the diaspora and share lessons learned from the NABIKO mentoring program 2019/2020 around the world.
The SEEDS network hosted the Think Tank 2021, a live-digital conference held under the theme of “Innovative startup mentoring in Africa from the diaspora”. This event engaged leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and relevant key players as they discussed the bridging factors for sustainable development amid investments in Africa. The conference was held in Munich, March 27, 2021, with speakers joining physically and virtually from different continents.
Thank you for participating in this first edition of the SEEDS´ live-digital events. If you would like to watch the sessions again, the event is available here.
WHAt we talked
about
3 hours, 5 key themes, 3 continents, over 80 participants, discussions, keynotes, and fireside chats facilitated by journalist Liz Shoo to focus on sharing, supporting, empowering, developing, and enabling unleashing potential of African entrepreneurs and leaders. Interactive exchanges through break-out sessions and chats with SEEDS moderators, Thierry Djeumo, Dr Jules Keghié, and Papdo Kouam targeted operating models for the investment in Africa, relevant incentives for better entrepreneurship, and also leveraging mentorship. The results of these exchanges, as well as the interaction through surveys and the panel discussion with Tara Méité (Afrika Verein), Prof. Solomon Agbo (Research Center Julich), Eric Ntonfo (Fiatope), Benjamin Ngongang (O'Botama), helped to collect some important quotes.
And when it comes to take action, participants mentioned a lot of obstacles that economically prevent from investing in Africa.
Certainly Prof. Solomon Agbo showed his understanding for this problematic thus he said
The actual COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled many new business models around the world again supporting the idea that well in the midst of the biggest challenges, innovation can follow and change the course of things provided we take the right steps.
It was all about MORE
AND ALSO networking,
growing together
Join us @ SEEDS investing with your skills, finances, time as a VOLUNTEER, INVESTOR, PARTNER, or just be part of our network. LETS's GROW TOGETHER!
Follow us on social media here
“The question is not why we should we invest, but rather if we can afford not to..”
- Improving African entrepreneurship should not focus only on mentoring for knowledge transfer between African entrepreneurs and African experts acting locally as well as in the diaspora, but as summarized by Dr Jules Keghié -
- investing in promising businesses in Africa is the key to sustainable development. Due diligence is important, and as Liz Shoo mentioned, investing is definitely about taking risks. But in the end as Tara Méité once again pointed out, -
“also investing in infrastructure for education and mindset change is essential ...”
“ We know that there are a lot of challenges, but we know that all these challenges are opportunities ... it is very important for us African that we take the lead. It is our continent, it is our problem ... ”
© 2021 by SEEDS e.V.
Februrary 2020
NABIKO BOOT CAMP - CAMEROON, Yaoundé, 24 - 28.02.2020
SEEDS e.V. together with O'BOTAMA Yaoundé, CAMEROON
This is the week-long event that kicked off the NABIKO mentoring program of SEEDS e.V. network and O'BOTAMA incubator.
The boot camp started with a welcome day opened to the public on 24 February 2020 that was attended by young startups, experienced entrepreneurs, university responsibles, social influencers, journalists, entertainers and more. During the second part of this event, from 25 - 28 February, 10 previously selected startups could see their projects accelerated in closed working sessions with African experts and mentors operating locally in Cameroon and in the diaspora.
© 2020 by SEEDS e.V. - mboamind.com
WELCOME DAY
Several important actors who planned and realized the NABIKO project were present. These were:
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Representatives of the CIM-GIZ, the German government's competence center in charge of sponsoring this program, Brice Chuepo
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The-SEEDS.net team, with Steve Pentang, together with Dr. Armel Djeukou, Blandine Nganso, and Dr. Gael Tchoukio
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The O'BOTAMA incubator, acting as the local partner implementing the mentoring program in Cameroon with Raissa Yossa and Benjamin Ngongang
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Most importantly African experts from the diaspora in fields of informatics, healthcare, finances, marketing, transportation, telecommunication and more who serve also as mentors: Papdo Kouam, Dr. Randolf Odi, Evariste Happi, Merlin Tonka.
Opening the boot camp week at the Welcome day, SEEDS co-founder, Dr. Gael Tchoukio insisted on the main goal of the program focussed on knowledge transfer for accelerating projects of young entrepreneurs in Cameroon particularly and Africa in general.
This is just were CIM's representative, Brice Chuepo, took on to recall their reasons for sponsoring the NABIKO project.
Towards the day, keynote speakers addressed the startups, offering advice and valuable insights in entrepreneurship. The first keynote was given by 'Les frères Bélibi' from the startup PNEUPUR showcasing their journey as entrepreneurs in Cameroon acting at an innovative, international level. They were followed by the speaker Rollin Foko, business development expert and promoter of M2B Conseils in Douala. In a short time, he could highlight the added value of experienced local entrepreneurs for coaching.
Later, keynote speaker, Papdo Kouam was interacting with the audience on how to pitch. He brilliantly delivered one of the most important key messages of the NABIKO boot camp in just four letters. This is what every entrepreneur should always have in mind when presenting his idea.
Finally, the day ended with an informal drink with finger food and a chance to network.
ROLLING UP THE SLEEVES THROUGH THE WEEK
The rest of the week was devoted to an intensive schedule of presentations, workshops, and inspirational talks. All material was carefully designed to help startups get the most out of their time in the boot camp. The 10 selected startups were: BABYCARE, BOOKBOOKSHOP, MUYANG CORNER (MC), DJAM TECHNOLOGIES, YEMA, OUICARE, GENERAL BIOTECH, ETS GLORIA, YABAIN, CHAMELEON.
Mentors acting as expert professionals in top tech companies around the world got the chance to learn more about the Cameroonian entrepreneur's ecosystem. Dr. Randolph Odi operating as a mentor from Switzerland mentioned:
And for him, as a native from Cote d'Ivoire, coming to Cameroon for the NABIKO boot camp just showed that AFRICA IS ONE.
Different themes were tackled, including internationalization, funding, mindset, marketing, security, law, and exits. It was a tiring week, but well worth it. Startups came away with a solid knowledge base, skills, and connections to help them accelerate their projects. In the words of one startup:
The rest of the startups agreed. Participants were asked to fill out a survey – necessary to get their feedback on the value of this approach and guaranty constant improvement.
Startups and mentors met each other for the first time on Welcome Day. So one of the prior well-communicated goals of the boot camp week was also to help startups get a better version of their projects and themselves as entrepreneurs. They had to use the gathered knowledge to better “sell” their startup idea — they had already been selected for the program, after all — but rather had to demonstrate what, exactly, their startup does. Thursday afternoon, startups gave their final pitches. Beginning from PowerPoint presentations and market projections, they had the possibility to show off dashboards, give live demonstrations, and reveal the day-to-day of their product.
So during a mentor unveiling ceremony, that we thought should be one of the more dramatic moments of the week - but it was not, rather very funny - 6 startups ready for acceleration were assigned to mentors for 8 months and 4 of them ready for incubation could directly start in the program of O'BOTAMA.
At the end of the week, the boot camp rates were very positive, meaning for us the startups took away a lot of value from technical notes of mentors Merlin Tonka on the lifecycle of product manufacturing and Evariste Happi on the up-to-date topic of IT-security and cyber criminality.
Motivational inputs of Ruth Tembe didn't only uplift the natural advantage of women in entrepreneurship but also highlighted the value of mentoring as a key success factor for young entrepreneurs.
WHAT’S NEXT?
On the last day, startups hopped on trains or caught busses back to their home cities. NABIKO boot camp program is “delocalized,” meaning that startups don’t have to move to a new place in order to continue the mentoring program. They can strengthen the Cameroonian startup ecosystem without disrupting their local network.
Over the next eight months, the startups will communicate with their mentors via online platforms to set goals, measure progress, and grow, grow, grow!
“KISS - Keep It Short and Simple.”
“Le point central de ce programme est aussi de vous aider à vous poser les bonnes questions et embrasser les éventuels challenges nécessaires pour conduire à construire une meilleure version de vous-même comme business, comme entrepreneurs.”
“CIM, accompagne la mise en valeur du savoir-faire de la diaspora Camerounaise d'Allemagne au service du développement du Cameroun.”
“Taking part in this event is also for me an opportunity to see more closely what is happening on the ground. And a way for me to contribute... .”
“Ils nous ont permis de pouvoir voir nos lacunes, nos différentes faiblesses dans le but d'améliorer.”
“Cyber criminality as with data breach, denial of service, cross-scripting and others represent one of the most critical business risks when developing web applications.”
October 2018
SEEDS @ - germany, dortmund, 13 october 2018
From Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Dortmund with Living Worshipers - The Gospel Ministry Dortmund, GERMANY
KONFERENZ - DEBATTE - AUSTAUSCH THEMA: LEADERSHIP
The SEEDS team involved in a training session of African students together with young professionals from the North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany on the basics of Leadership ...
Daniel Njikeu, from the LIVING WORSHIPPERS, gave a opened the session introducing the need of a discussion round within his community on leadership values, skills.
July 2018
SEEDS THINK-TANK - CAMEROON, DOUALA, 21July 2018
Together with ACTIVSPACES Douala, CAMEROON
African Startups incubation & Acceleration: Opportunity or threat?
The first Think-Tank event of THE SEEDS took place in Douala on 21 July 2018 at ACTIVSPACES in Cameroon. 4 startups actually incubating there pitched their digital solutions to an audience of young entrepreneurs and interested leaders.
Rebecca Enonchong, CEO of ACTIVSPACES gave a great opening to the Think-Tank session motivating young people to take responsibilities and bring innovative solutions to the problems within their local communities as entrepreneurs and leaders.
