NABIKO

Bridging Continents: How NABIKO Connects African Startups with Diaspora Expertise

For any young entrepreneur, mentorship is a powerful catalyst for growth. But what happens when that mentorship bridges continents, connecting local innovators with the global experience of the diaspora? The result is NABIKO, a unique cross-continental program designed to build a powerful network of talent and opportunity.

This initiative, implemented by O'Botama in partnership with GIZ (CIM) and SEEDS, is more than just a mentorship program; it's a bridge fostering knowledge exchange, creating global connections, and accelerating the growth of Africa's most promising young entrepreneurs.

What is NABIKO?

NABIKO is an 8-month mentorship program designed for young African entrepreneurs. The core mission is to provide startups with the three pillars of growth: high-level mentorship, strategic networking, and access to investors. Through this initiative, we aim to equip founders with the guidance and connections they need to scale their ventures. To date, the program has successfully organized three bootcamps and supported dozens of entrepreneurs.

A Pan-African Scope

The program has a wide, pan-African reach, supporting entrepreneurs across five different countries:

Cameroon, Gabon, Togo, Benin, and Chad. This multi-country approach creates a diverse and dynamic cohort, fostering cross-border collaboration and learning. The latest edition of the program is supporting a cohort of 25 innovative startups, a significant expansion from the 10 startups supported in each of the first two editions.

The Power of Diaspora Mentorship

The standout feature of NABIKO is its unique mentorship model. The program connects participating entrepreneurs with a dedicated pool of experienced mentors from the German diaspora and Cameroon. This provides the startups with an invaluable blend of local market insights and international business perspectives.

The 8-month mentorship journey is kicked off with an intensive 5-day bootcamp held in Yaoundé, where founders and mentors collaborate to build a strong foundation for the months ahead. This powerful combination of intensive training and long-term guidance is what makes the NABIKO experience so transformative.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible for the NABIKO program?

The program is designed for young African entrepreneurs from various sectors whose businesses are based in one of the five participating countries. The selection focuses on the innovation and potential of the project.

NABIKO is a significant commitment to growth. It consists of an intensive 5-day bootcamp in Yaoundé, followed by a structured 8-month mentorship period with regular follow-up sessions.

The program's unique strength lies in its ability to connect local entrepreneurs with experienced mentors from the German diaspora. This provides founders with a rare global perspective and access to an international network.

The program actively supports entrepreneurs from five countries:

Cameroon, Gabon, Togo, Benin, and Chad.