On February 26 and 27, 2025, Cotonou hosted the Choiseul Africa Summit, a leading gathering of investors, business leaders and policymakers dedicated to shaping the continent’s economic future. As a key player in strategic advisory and data analytics, Inawa Institute contributed to the discussions, notably during the session on financial levers for corporate competitiveness and innovation. This high-level panel brought together Sandra Amichia (BOAD), Laurent Gangbes (ADPME Benin), Maryse Lokossou (CDCB), Nouss Bih (I&P), Aissatou Soumaré (Société Générale Benin), Vincent Di Betta (Bpifrance) and Ismaël Adam Cisse (Infinity Africa Group).
The discussion highlighted Benin’s emergence as a regional hub for tech entrepreneurship. To sustain this momentum, the country is scaling up access to capital through increased venture capital and a modernized legal framework for public-private partnerships. Participants underlined the impact of international support, such as the €39 million loan from the African Development Fund in 2023, in boosting the private sector’s contribution to the national economy. These reforms provide a secure environment for investors and pave the way for large-scale projects in agribusiness, energy and digital solutions.
Moving beyond traditional banking, the session explored forward-looking financing tools such as green bonds and dedicated startup investment funds. These mechanisms offer entrepreneurs resources tailored to their growth cycles while keeping economic expansion consistent with environmental sustainability. A central theme was the ability to attract and retain both local and international private capital in order to consolidate the growth of domestic firms. For Inawa Institute, such financial solutions reach their full potential only when backed by rigorous governance and precise, data-driven impact assessment.
Inawa Institute’s participation in this summit underscores its commitment to helping economic actors navigate a shifting landscape. Through its evidence-based expertise, the firm helps turn policy goals and institutional commitments into tangible economic results. Inawa Institute acts as a strategic catalyst, bridging the gap between political vision and investor requirements to build a Beninese and regional economy that is resilient, innovative and globally competitive.
