Empowering Entrepreneurs in Tunisia: The WIDU.africa Program
In Béja, northwest Tunisia, Dhekra Touhami is no longer just making cheese. She's building something. With her own hands, with the help of rural women in her region, with her cooperative Cheesy Vaga, and with the support of a loved one living in Europe who decided to invest their money in a meaningful way.
What is WIDU.africa?
This is exactly the kind of story that the WIDU.africa program is designed to support. A Tunisian living in Lyon, Berlin, or Stockholm wants to help a loved one launch or develop their business in Tunisia. They contribute funds, and the project holder matches the amount. WIDU.africa then doubles the investment, providing a grant of up to €5,000. This is not a loan, but concrete money to buy equipment, expand a workshop, or hire additional staff.
Who is WIDU.africa for?
The program targets two types of individuals:
- Those living in Europe who want to support a loved one in Africa
- Entrepreneurs in Africa who need a boost to take their business to the next level
WIDU.africa is currently active in nine African countries: Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia.
Eligibility Criteria
For entrepreneurs in Africa, the eligibility criteria are intentionally broad. Any sector is eligible, and the essential requirements are:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Leading a structure with a maximum of 20 employees
- Being willing to co-invest 50% of the requested amount
The program is not a passive aid, but rather a reward for engagement. If the project is successful, it is possible to submit up to three new applications, with grants of up to €5,000 each.
The Power of Unity
The Tunisian Consulate General in Paris has officially informed the Tunisian community in France about the program, inviting them to learn more. The program is open to all Tunisians living in the 27 EU member states, Switzerland, or Norway. Both diaspora members and project holders in Tunisia can register, find each other, and launch their projects on the WIDU.africa platform.
Results
Since 2022, 715 businesses have benefited from the program, creating or maintaining 2,130 jobs, with 61% of these jobs held by women. A total of €1.5 million in grants has been awarded, in addition to €1.4 million in joint investments. These numbers tell a story of a development method that is driven by people who trust and support each other.
Additional Support
Each accompanied entrepreneur benefits from three personalized coaching sessions in Tunisia, covering topics such as marketing, financial management, and planning. These tools help ensure that the business not only survives its launch but also thrives in the long term.
Dhekra Touhami can attest to the program's impact. With the support she received, she was able to invest in adapted equipment, improve the quality of her dairy products, and reduce losses that previously eroded her margins. "This investment contributes to the improvement of our production quality and the preservation of consumption deadlines, thus minimizing expired materials," she says.
Program Partners
The WIDU.africa program is implemented by the Office of Tunisians Abroad and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), with co-funding from the European Union and the Gates Foundation, under the mandate of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
