EMERGING VALLEY 2021 - HUB OF EMERGING INNOVATIONS BETWEEN EUROPE & AFRICA

USPA NEWS - Created in Aix-Marseille in 2017, EMERGING Valley, the New Hub for Emerging Innovation between Europe and Africa, is the International Summit that attracts Investors, African Startups and Emerging Digital Ecosystems to Provence. These Stakeholders are aiming to strengthen their International Image, develop their Business Relationships and accelerate their Impact on a Global Scale.

Created in Aix-Marseille in 2017, EMERGING Valley, the New Hub for Emerging Innovation between Europe and Africa, is the International Summit that attracts Investors, African Startups and Emerging Digital Ecosystems to Provence. These Stakeholders are aiming to strengthen their International Image, develop their Business Relationships and accelerate their Impact on a Global Scale.

As Brussels sharpens its focus on supporting Europe’s Tech Sector as an Engine of Growth, collaboration with Africa in Tech is an obvious starting point for a New Strategic Partnership to develop. The African Tech Ecosystem is like no other. With half of the Continent’s Population under 19 years old, Mobile Technology booming, Traditional Infrastructure still patchy across much of the Land, and Population Growth driving the Development of Mega Cities, the Digital Economy has near Limitless Potential to make Africa the Tech Success Story of the 21st Century.

Photo left
Franck RIESTER, Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, French Government

Photo right
Samir ABDELKRIM, Founder EMERGING Valley
Erol OK, Managing Director Institut français
Zeineb MESSAOUD, Zeineb MESSAOUD The Dot
Slim KHALBOUS, Rector Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) - University Agency of La Francophonie

For more than a Decade, many prominent Business Thinkers have touted Africa as the “Next Big Thing”. The Continent’s Favourable Demographics, changing Political Landscape and untapped Economic Potential have all been variously highlighted as Reasons why Africa is ripe for a Business Revolution.

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Roger Félix ADOM, Minister of Digital Economy, Telecommunications and Innovation, Government of the Republic of Ivory Coast

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Maria Christina RUSSO, Director of International Cooperation, European Commission

Nigeria is the Biggest Tech Market in terms of Internet Users and Mobile Subscriptions and also has the most Hubs, with over 90.... However, the African Tech Ecosystem has distinct Challenges. A Lack of Funding limits its Growth. The Small Footprint of the State, particularly in Rural Areas also means that Non-Profit or Donor-Funded Organisations make up over half of the Continent’s Tech Hubs.

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Satoshi SHINADA, General Partner, Kepple Africa Ventures

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Bamba LO, founder Paps
Mareme DIENG, Lead, Global Innovation & Strategy, 500 Global

Investment into Digital Services and Technology-Enabled Solutions has accelerated. This is evidenced by a rapid increase in the number of Technology Start-Ups achieving “Unicorn” Status, a Valuation of USD 1bn or more. The Market Opportunity to develop African Tech is Immense. Nonetheless, the Associated Challenges and Risks can vary widely from Country to Country. The need to be properly informed about Risks specific to each Market, and how to navigate them, cannot be over-emphasised.

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Isabelle BEBEAR, Director of International and European Affairs, Bpifrance
Habiba ADDI, Program Manager, MEET Africa 2

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Rouffahi KOABO, DG CIMEN
David CHEBORYOT, Director of Entrepreneurship Centers, E4Impact
Emmanuel NOUTARY, Executive Officer, ANIMA Investment Network
Pierrick CHABI, founder Wakatoon
Philippe YVERGNIAUX, director of international cooperation, Business France

EMERGING Valley has been organised for 4 years in Aix-Marseille-Provence, a Region which benefit from the Area’s Strategic Positioning as a Hub for exchanges between Europe and Africa. This Hotspot attracts Companies from all over the World that want to develop Partnerships between Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe. Aix-Marseille-Provence has the Assets and Infrastructure required to attract and support African and International Startups aiming to Undertake, Invest and Innovate in Europe!

- As a Real Gateway between African and European Tech, EMERGING Valley is a Unique Opportunity to:

* Discover New Innovative Territories emerging in the South
* Explore and Invest in the Digital Solutions of tomorrow by connecting with African Tech Champions
* Collaborate to build Scaling Strategies between Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe

- Why Participate in EMERGING Valley?

* To Develop Your Network and to Boost Your Visibility
* To Get Inspired by The Most Influential Speakers
* To Build Your Business to Africa to Marseille
* To Meet the Stakeholders of the Digital and Tech Industries in the same Place

- Themes during The Summit:

Food Processing, Production, Agricultural Transformation. Biodiversity. Construction, Smart Cities, City Planning. Distribution, Food Distribution. Social & solidarity Economies. Education, EdTech. Female Entrepreneurship. Environment, Renewable Energies, Circular Economy. Finance, FinTech, Microcredit. Cultural Industries. Innovation, Tech, Digital. Mobility, Transportation. Africa-Europe Partnership. Health, E-Health. Aix-Marseille-Provence Territories.

(*) Photo cover :
Samir ABDELKRIM, founder EMERGING Valley
Michèle RUBIROLA, First Deputy Mayor of Marseille
Didier PARAKIAN, 8th Vice-Président delegate to European funds, to relations with European institutions and international relations
Laure-Agnès CARADEC, Chairman of the Board of Directors, EPA Euroméditerranée

Source: EMERGING Valley Summit - Hub of Emerging Innovations between Europe & Africa.
In Marseille - France (Palais Pharo) & Online.
On December 14, 2021

Ruby BIRD
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Yasmina BEDDOU
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