Africa: A Land of Opportunities for Innovation and Internationalization
Africa undoubtedly represents a vast opportunity. We are present in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Senegal, and Tunisia. The project has three components: support, internationalization, and a favorable environment. Qawafel defines itself as a driving force for innovation, and we have a global vision through our Africa vision, says Belhassen Jouini, head of Qawafel's internationalization grants for SMEs, during the second panel of the 4th edition of the Innovation and Partnership Days (IPDays x GITS 2025), organized by RedStart Tunisia on November 12 and 13, 2025, in Tunis, on the theme "Internationalization".
Everyone on the Ground!
This edition aims to mark a strategic turning point for the Tunisian and African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Wafa Bchir, CEO of Connect Innov, Program Lead Expan'Africa, describes the way to achieve this: "When we wanted to go further into the African continent, Qawafel helped us in our goal of targeting Senegal and Mauritania, where we selected about ten SMEs and startups. We conducted market studies and then discussed with sector actors (hospitals, distributors, institutions...) through B2B meetings, podcasts, webinars... We organized immersive trips with over 20 contracts and six calls for tenders. The ten companies found local partners who now represent them. We brought in experts and organized exchanges between companies."
Learning from the Field
This fieldwork is in line with the logic of Mike Bondo, responsible for entrepreneurial support, Silikin Village, DRC: "Two months ago, we hosted a similar event in the DRC, and we set up a structured support program for key sectors. It is clear that we all have the same needs, and it is essential to come and see the reality of things here in Tunisia. Our presence on the ground and direct contact with actors allow us to test the market."
3 Lessons from Lead Wing4Africa and FET
Sahar Mechri, Program Lead Wing4Africa, Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs, retraces her support for IPDays: "I saw the IPDays born, and today, I see them internationalizing. With the Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs and Lead Wing4Africa programs, we have also learned over the years. We have come out with three lessons. Firstly, how to overcome the problem of lack of information experienced by entrepreneurs. We have felt the importance of economic intelligence, of what is said and what is not, of practical information that cannot be found in reports. Secondly, I remember the packaging that a company had to change because it was ostentatious from the point of view of local culture. And we understood the need to find local partners anchored in the ecosystem and having credibility with institutions. This has helped us avoid many mistakes and save time. Thirdly, being attentive to the contract phase, as there are many hidden costs, and it is necessary to question the payment mechanism and insurance; this is where companies have lost a lot of time and money."
The Value of Time in Internationalization
Khaled Mehiri, coordinator of GET'iT, Prop'A program, insists on the value of time for working on the continent: "We work with Qawafel and other donors for prospecting, and we save companies a lot of time. In West Africa, instead of traditional partners, we used a local contact who had connections to help us with targeted meetings. But still, we were only able to sign our first two contracts after the third action we took. That's how it is; in Africa, results take time to be achieved."
The Case of Artisanal Internationalization
Abir Azzi, UNIDO consultant, Creative Tunisia program, presents the case of artisanal internationalization: "Our program works on the authenticity of artisanal products and their know-how. Going international requires many tools, while the competition sells at low prices. Tunisia's assets are its local creators, artisans, designers... and together, they are capable of presenting Tunisia as a creative hub in this sector. In Africa, we arrive with many improvements to offer competitive, high-quality products. But it is essential to understand that preparing for internationalization requires a lot of work upfront."
