« Increasing economic opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Southwest Indian Ocean » is one of the key objectives of the regional program « Entrepreneurship and Business Facilitation » (ENFA-OI), led by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the European Union (EU).

The program, presented by the EU and IOC during a press briefing on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Port Louis (Mauritius), aims to support entrepreneurs from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups (including informal businesses), as well as national organizations that foster entrepreneurship in key sectors such as tourism, cosmetic/medicinal plants, and seafood products.

The press conference highlighted the various types of support provided, ranging from training, coaching, and assistance for operators to participate in international trade fairs. Promoting green, blue, and circular economy solutions, the program also encourages women’s and youth entrepreneurship.

The participation of 17 operators (including 8 women business owners) from the fishing products sector at Africa’s Big 7, held from June 11 to 13 in South Africa, reflects both entrepreneurs’ and international investors’ interest in networking, discovering, and identifying potential markets.

The ENFA-OI program will also support regional economic operators in participating in two upcoming international trade fairs, including Cosmetic360 in Paris in October for professionals in the regional cosmetic and medicinal plant sector, as well as the Philoxenia tourism fair in Greece.

Additionally, the COPISTE 2024 competition, a startup pitch event for the region, will soon be launched to promote innovation in the three priority sectors.

For more information about the program’s activities, please refer to the press kit below.