The Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries has opened applications for the second cohort of young higher-education graduates interested in launching businesses in livestock or aquaculture value chains.
The call for applications targets the incubation of 275 young entrepreneurs under the Livestock and Aquaculture Value Chains Development Project (PDCVEP).
According to the notice signed by the Minister of Fisheries, the incubation program aims to support unemployed graduates, young professionals and startup founders whose companies are no more than three years old, in consolidating their businesses. Applications will be assessed based on six criteria, for a total of 100 points.
Ten incubation centers nationwide
Selected candidates will be supported in 10 incubation centers, one in each of the country’s 10 regions, with 25 young entrepreneurs per center.
The objective is to guide the maturation and consolidation of projects through a decentralized support system.
The PDCVEP is financed by the African Development Bank with CFA65 billion. The ministry states that the project seeks to enhance the competitiveness and hygiene standards of beef, pork and fish products, improve incomes for stakeholders and create new jobs, particularly through self-employment among higher-education graduates in the three targeted value chains.
The first cohort supported 266 young entrepreneurs, backed by an envelope of CFA266 million.
Ludovic Amara
