NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Are you interested in Trade/Business and Investment Opportunities in West Africa? Did you know? There are 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. ECOWAS works to promote co-operation in the region on a range of economic and political issues including conflict resolution.

The countries of West Africa have a population of 245 million. About 65 percent of them live in rural areas.

Eight countries in the region (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo) are members of the West Africa Economy and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and share a common currency, a common central bank, a development bank, a regional stock exchange and a common banking regulator. The region’s economic growth has averaged only 2.5 percent during the past three years while its population has been growing by 2.2 percent a year. It is estimated that economic growth of about 6-7 percent a year would be required to meet the goal of cutting extreme poverty in half by 2030.

Marry this with with the vast and untapped economic potentials of the region, clearly there are several things to do, look inward and generate and build her own wealth reserves.

At the West Africa Trade and Investment Conference, several strategies will be explored to further unlock wealth in the region and promote existing projects. Specifically, this event serves as an aggregation of the finest projects, thought leaders, opportunities, networks, and linkages.

Expected participants include: – Multilateral Agencies – Government Officials, – Corporate Leaders – Trade Professionals – Community Leaders – Executive Directors – Major Donors/Funders – Entrepreneurs, – Innovators – Start-ups and MSMEs and – Senior Staff/Board Members

To participate in this event, https://lnkd.in/dmtJ9gYe

Time: 9:00 AM ET

Curious to learn more about HealthTech Hub Africa? Join us for our Q1 update call, where we’ll share our 2024 impact numbers, announce our new 2025 cohort, and discuss ways you can get involved! Register here: https://lnkd.in/dKngaYDF We’ll have simultaneous French translation.

Time: 5:00 – 6:30 EAT / 10:00 PM – 11:30 EST

By 2040, shifting population dynamics, climate change, technological advancements, and economic growth will reshape healthcare procurement and supply chains in low- and lower-middle-income countries. As these transformative forces redefine healthcare delivery coupled with the recent global changes defining the future of the Global Health landscape, how can investments in procurement and supply chain management be shaped to ensure resilience and sustainability?

Click the link to learn about who is participating.

What is it? A full-day, hands-on bootcamp designed to equip you with strategies and tools to engage, attract, and retain high-potential market segments—particularly women and women-led businesses.

Powering Change: Building a Sustainable Energy Ecosystem

Strategic Partners: LINK Innovations, KDEM, Startup Karnataka

Support Partners: MeitY Startup Hub

Date: March 27, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Venue: CMS Business School, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Seshadri Road, Bengaluru

Registration Link: **https://forms.office.com/r/Hrysmcc9UD**

Introduction

InnovateX, organized by MathWorks in collaboration with JAIN Launchpad, returns to Bangalore in 2025, focusing on electrification infrastructure. This one-day event will bring together startups, industry leaders, investors, and academia to explore advancements, trends, and collaboration opportunities in building a sustainable electrification ecosystem. Topics will include charging infrastructure, battery management, grid modernization, and smart energy management. InnovateX is supported by LINK Innovations.

Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM