News and Updates

The Africa Research Innovation Commercialization Summit 2024 took place on February 28, 2024 under the theme: "From Labs to Markets: Creating Viable and Inclusive Value Chains and Innovation Markets for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development". Being part of this event, WIDU witnessed insightful discussions and collaborations.

The WIDU Award Kenya was held for the second time on 7 December 2023. Awards were presented in 9 categories. Moreover, 8 Regional Champions as well as 2 WIDU Coaches received Awards for their work. For the first time, the voting for the winners was public and resulted in more than 41,000 votes.

Experts discussed financing and training options for African micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) and what role the African diaspora can play in this.

Deadline extended! Confirm your attendance until Sunday, 12 November 2023 to be part of our panel discussion during the Africa Start-up Connect Week: “Enhancing Access to Finance and Skills for African SMEs together with the diaspora".

On October 11th, the WIDU Togo Awards took place for the first time at Hotel Petit Brussel in Lomé, honoring 12 promising entrepreneurs in the categories of Agribusiness, Young Entrepreneurs, Crafts, and Innovation.

The WIDU Kenya Quarterly Update - Quarter 3/2023 showcases the highlights from July to September 2023 and provides an overview of upcoming activities. The update is provided on a quarterly basis and we welcome contributions from our partners on any information relevant to the WIDU Kenya fraternity.

In a groundbreaking showcase of collaborative effort and innovation, Agri Jobs for Youth in partnership with WIDU.africa joined forces in steering a Green Business Innovations for Western Kenya hackathon, implemented by the Association of Startup and SME Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK), held on the 14th and 15th of August in Kisumu, Kenya. This hackathon was designed to harness the power of Human-Centered Design to tackle pressing challenges and elevate budding entrepreneurs in the green agribusiness sector. Seven Kenyan WIDU beneficiaries were selected to join the six-week incubation training.

On the 10th of August 2023, WIDU Kenya hosted a Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop for WIDU Business Coaches. The aim of this refresher training was to deepen cross-organisational collaboration. Highlight was a joint session on integrity in business and entrepreneurship facilitated by Transparency International and GIZ Good Governance.

The WIDU Partner Quarterly Update showcases the highlights from April to June 2023 and provides an overview of upcoming activities. The update is provided on a quarterly basis and we welcome contributions from our partners on any information relevant to the WIDU Kenya fraternity.

The WIDU Award Ghana was held for the first-time on 29th June 2023. Awards were presented in five distinct categories: Agri-Business Award, Young Entrepreneur Award, Sustainability Award, Tech Award and Female Entrepreneurship Award.

From the 14th to the 16th of June, WIDU.africa participated in the THREE DAY 2023 Global Forum on Remittances, Investment, and Development Summit. Wolfram Zunzer, program head of the project by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH participated in a panel discussion on pivotal role of diaspora remittances in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kenya's capital Nairobi on 5 May 2023. WIDU entrepreneurs Florence Mogere and Kevin Sanya had the opportunity to participate in an event that was organized by the German embassy in Nairobi. They were two of only a few people from the audience who had opportunity to directly talk to Mr Scholz. We have met them for an interview

During his recent visit to Ethiopia and Kenya, Olaf Scholz met with young entrepreneurs at an event organized by the German Embassy in Nairobi. The audience also included entrepreneurs supported by the WIDU.africa project of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, who were given the opportunity to ask the German Chancellor their questions directly.

WIDU Kenya launches a second Local Call: #FoodSecurity to support micro, small and medium enterprises contributing to a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient recovery of #agriculture and #foodsystems.

WIDU and Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Ethiopia kick-off partnership

On 30 January, Talanta Junior School in Port Victoria, Kenya, opened its doors. The project, which we supported, celebrated the occasion with an opening event.

Due to increasing demand, WIDU from now on will extend its score-based selection of projects to Kenya.