The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Eleanor Caroa, Minister-Delegate at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (responsible for French-speaking countries, international partnerships and French citizens abroad); Christophe Lecourtier, Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD Group); and Arno Syuké, Ambassador of France to Kenya. They were joined by technical experts and representatives of the AFD Group to discuss innovation, climate resilience and economic growth.
This session is a key component of SIBC East Africa's «Energy Transition» programme, which supports entrepreneurs in the sectors of clean cooking, renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia. The programme currently supports 48 entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women-led and inclusive businesses. The programme provides technical training, mentoring and networking with investors to help businesses increase their social and environmental impact.
The initiative involves a six-month virtual acceleration phase, culminating in an intensive training camp in Nairobi. Within this structure, special attention is paid to practical training and mutual exchange of experience to increase investment readiness. The training camp is a strategic milestone in the run-up to the Africa Forward Summit 2026, where participants will continue to engage with stakeholders to promote business growth.
Since its launch in 2017, SIBC has supported over 400 entrepreneurs in Africa, North Africa and the Caribbean. Philippe Bodez, SIBC project manager at Campus Groupe AFD, stressed that Africa's energy transition represents a vital economic opportunity. Participants supported this view, noting that the program's focus on regional cooperation and access to finance is important to scale up solutions adapted to African markets.
SIBC East Africa continues to invite investors, corporations and technical experts to collaborate in supporting the growth of these businesses through financing and market access.
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