We Inspire
We light a fire in young people… by training them to see opportunities that others miss, giving them the confidence to view themselves as entrepreneurs not employees and job creators instead of job seekers. We do it by delivering a best-in-class leadership and entrepreneurship program.
We Invest
We go all in … by providing a full life-cycle of support to the most promising entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses. We do it through tailored coaching, skills building, expert mentorship, seed funding, and facilitating connections within and across industries.
We Transform
We go big … by positioning young entrepreneurs to tackle tough problems in key sectors and channeling their talent into innovative, private sector-led solutions. We do this through the Kosmos Innovation Center’s distinctive focus on commercial solutions and local knowledge.
Ghana
Established in 2016, Kosmos Innovation Center Ghana is helping to breathe new life into agriculture, transforming it into an engine of growth and job creation.
Mauritania
Launched in 2018, the Kosmos Innovation Center Mauritania is helping young, entrepreneurial Mauritanians develop the skills to turn ideas into reality.
Senegal
Kosmos Innovation Center Senegal is helping young business leaders in Senegal develop the technical skills needed to grow successful and sustainable businesses.
Kosmos Innovation Center
The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) invests in young entrepreneurs and small businesses who have big ideas and want to see their country grow.
In a week where we're thinking about all kinds of literacy, how can financial literacy impact your business?
FAQ Friday: What extra challenges do young African entrepreneurs face?
Before the month of August ends, we celebrate the #InternationalDayforPeopleofAfricanDescent (Aug 31), aiming to highlight the importance of acknowledging the rights and contributions of people of African descent.
Africa and its youth are driving a wave of incredible innovation. However, we know from the many Kosmos Innovation Center programmes that we run across West Africa, that building a business as a young entrepreneur comes with systemic hurdles that go far beyond standard startup growing pains.
What are the challenges we are talking about?
Among these are the limited access to capital, infrastructure gaps, and mentorship deficits. Financing and venture capital remain difficult to secure. Young founders often lack the collateral, credit history, or networks required to unlock early-stage funding.
Localised mentorship ecosystems that connect young visionaries with seasoned industry veterans are also scarce. Moreover, being young often means fighting a battle in gaining the trust of older corporate clients, investors, or established institutions that may underestimate their capabilities.
So how can you help? From the feedback that we get from entrepreneurs, these are the the things that would really make a difference:
If you are an investor or funder: Support local, early-stage startups especially if they offer bright ideas and bring potential to success.
If you have professional experience: Offer time or expertise as a mentor. Share any practical knowledge regarding scaling, financial management, or business-related skills that could help equip them into the business world.
If you are a consumer: Be a patron of local and small businesses. Offer support through leaving constructive, honest, and polite feedback as well as through recommendations.
The strongest economies are built on inclusive opportunities. As such, supporting young African entrepreneurs is an investment in the future of global innovation and an opportunity that shouldn't be missed.
Read our latest case study with House of Fishing entrepreneur Bilal Fall.
kosmosinnovationcenter.com
Bilal Fall is 43 and runs Keuru Napgui Sarl, whose name translates to "The House of Fishing." The company touches nearly every part of the fishing trade, from selling fishing gear, to bringing fishfin...