Q&A

What do I gain from participating in SIBC?

The Social and Inclusive Business Camp – Mission Transition 2024 – is an acceleration program for innovative entrepreneurs with social and/or environmental impact in Africa to contribute to a fairer and more sustainable economy. The program’s goal is to maximize their social and/or environmental impact, prepare for fundraising and scaling their activities. The program includes a first phase of 4 months of remote training via a platform and digital tools – content to review, exercises, live sessions, group workshops, and individual coaching – and a second phase in person in Africa (1 week – mandatory) involving peer meetings, experiments, speed meetings with investors, and inspiring sessions. The program enables you to address the various elements of scaling up to succeed in your growth. This program is built around you, your team, your company, and your ecosystem. Numerous experts will be mobilized to support you. You will become an integral part of a new SIBC cohort that will provide support, experience, and network, which you will also help sustain. On a larger scale, you will become an alumni and be part of the SIBC alumni network, an active and enriching network in terms of contacts and experience sharing. Of course, at the end of the Bootcamp, you will have the opportunity to pitch in front of investors and other potential partners (financial partners, institutional, corporate, media…).

Is the program free?

Tuition fees are offered. During the in-person Bootcamp, accommodation and some meals are covered by AFD. All other ancillary costs are the responsibility of the participant. Under certain conditions, scholarships can be provided to contribute to visa and travel expenses.

Will my travel expenses be covered for my participation in the Bootcamp?

Beyond accommodation and some meals already included, scholarships may be granted to participants wishing to cover part of the visa and transport costs to Abidjan during the Bootcamp (airfare, taxi). These scholarships will work as reimbursement based on invoices. There will be no advance on such expenses – participants must be able to pay these costs before being reimbursed. The maximum cap amount for these individual scholarships is usually between 500 EUR and 1,000 EUR, being calculated when the cohort is selected based on the number of requests.

How is the logistics of the Bootcamp handled?

Each participant is responsible for its own visa application and shall launch the demand upon notification of selection. Participants must have a valid passport to travel to the Bootcamp location in Africa during the first quarter of 2025. Candidates will be in permanent contact with the program coordination team via email or the WhatsApp group that will be created. The hotel will be booked by the logistics service provider in charge of the Bootcamp, in connection with AFD. All participants will stay at the same place. Breakfast, lunches and snacks (morning and afternoon) are included everyday, as well as some dinners/evenings during the week. Each participant will receive a welcome booklet with all available information and the detailed program. The Bootcamp has an intensive and busy programmation so kindly schedule any additional in-country visit or meeting the week before or after the Bootcamp.

My organization has been operating for less than three years, can I participate?

SIBC primarily targets organizations that are growing or ready for scaling up, having already demonstrated a market for their solution (revenue, first customers, prototype…) or interest in co-funding in the case of hybrid models. We prioritize organizations registered for at least 3 years.

Does my organization need to be formal?

Yes, the program is for formal organizations whose statutes have been filed. A copy of these documents will need to be provided during online applications. Several legal forms are eligible, not just companies.

What should be the legal status of my organization to participate?

The expected legal status is that of a commercial enterprise (LLC, SAS, Cooperative, etc.) with a social and/or environmental mission or an association with a medium-term profitability objective and justifying revenue. We also accept entrepreneurship support structures and cooperatives. Each application can consist in only one female projet owner and one organisation (if you work within several organisations, kindly select the one with the highest match level with the program requirements and its value proposition)

How to apply?

The application file must be completed on the SIBC Wiin platform, uploading all the required documents :

A completed application form (questions about the project leader, the company, its structure, its impact, and its scaling strategy)
A detailed CV of the female project owner
Proof of the organisation’s legal registration (registration document, statutes, etc.)
Financial statements for the last 3 years
Optionally, a pitch-deck or video pitch

In which countries must I operate to participate?

To be eligible, companies must be registered in an African country and must demonstrate a positive social and/or environmental impact on the African continent. All countries on the continent are accepted. The program is bilingual, welcoming entrepreneurs operating across the continent, as long as they can follow the course in French or English. Candidates from Least Developed Countries according to the UN category are strongly encouraged to participate.

Until when is the call for applications open?

The call for applications is open until Thursday, August 22, inclusive (11:59 PM GMT+2). The AFD Campus group reserves the right to close the call for applications upon receiving 150 complete and eligible applications.

How do I know if I am eligible?

I am eligible if:

I am a WOMAN AND I hold a HIGH RESPONSIBILITY POSITION within the structure (founder, co-founder, director, …)
My organisation is LEGALLY REGISTERED in at least one AFRICAN country
My organisation has existed for AT LEAST 3 YEARS
My organisation has a SOCIAL AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION
My organisation has all or part of its income from a COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
My organisation is developing in NEW TERRITORIES at the national or international level.

On what criteria are applications evaluated?

Applications will be evaluated by partner juries in Africa based on the following criteria:

1️⃣ Social and/or environmental impact of the project

The project is designed to solve a social or environmental problem and contributes to the SDGs.
The structure pays particular attention to reducing its ecological footprint.
The structure includes vulnerable populations in its value chain (customers, suppliers, distributors, etc.)

2️⃣ Innovative nature of the proposed solution

The proposed product/service does not exist on the market.
The production or distribution methods/procedures are innovative compared to market standards.
The proposed product/service meets an identified need and targets vulnerable populations (BoP, women, people with disabilities, refugees…)

3️⃣ Scalability capacity

The scaling strategy is clear, with planned development being national or even international.
The scaling strategy considers maximizing social or environmental impact.

What is an innovative structure?

An innovative solution can be a product or service that does not exist on the market, a solution whose production methods or processes are innovative compared to market standards, or a solution with the potential to be replicated in other markets, including Western ones. Innovations can also be found in structures incorporating technology, providing services or products meeting identified needs of vulnerable populations (women, people with disabilities, refugees, etc.) or the base of the pyramid. Innovation can also be in the organizational model of the structure (shared governance, participatory processes…).

What is an impact company?

A social impact company is expected to design a project to solve a social or environmental problem and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, pay particular attention to reducing its ecological footprint, and/or implement an internal Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) policy. The company should also engage in activities serving vulnerable populations (women, people with disabilities, refugees…) and/or include vulnerable populations in its value chain as customers, distributors, suppliers, or employees. Job creation outside vulnerable populations is considered insufficient.

Who will make up the final validation committee?

The selection committee responsible for the final choice of program participants will be chaired by the French Development Agency, which will select the members from among the program’s partners. This committee reserves the right to arbitrate the final selection of the cohort in the interest of the group balance.

Which sectors are favored for participation in the program?

Organisations from all sectors can participate in the SIBC.

When will the results be announced?

Selected candidates will be notified in September 2024.

What types of documents are required for proof of legal registration?

Any legal document proving registration (proof of registration with any company register, registered statutes, etc.).

What types of documents are required for financial statements?

Ideally, certified accounts by an auditor or equivalent. If not, formalized balance sheets and income statements.

What do I need to follow the program remotely?

A good internet connection (video content and webinars like Zoom) accessible via smartphone, tablet, or computer.

What do I need to follow the bootcamp?

A valid passport for at least six months.

How is my personal data and other confidential information handled?

AFD and all program partners are subject to the General Data Protection Regulation. Only the information necessary for the evaluation of applications will be shared. During the program, a security and confidentiality framework is provided for participants. For a better experience, we encourage experience sharing between participants and with the experts mobilized during the program.

Will I receive a confirmation email upon validation?

Yes, when you finalize your application, you will automatically receive a confirmation email.

Can I delete my application?

Yes, you can delete your application at any time by clicking on “delete” by selecting your file from this page or from your personal space.

Can I participate multiple times?

A candidate can participate only once with a single project.

I have questions but don’t know who to ask?

If you haven’t found the answer in the FAQ, for any practical questions, information, clarification, or if you need help, contact us: sibc.programme@gmail.com

Can I share training content and/or invite my team to certain program activities?

Most of the content can be shared freely. Activities remain an exclusivity for selected candidates only.

What funding will I receive at the end?

None! We offer support without funding but provide the opportunity to meet and connect with investors, financiers, partners, experts and peers.