Conakry- The Salon des Entrepreneurs de Guinée (SADEN) proceeded on Monday 13 June to launch the first edition of the activity called “Digital tools for innovation” in collaboration with the United States Embassy in Guinea and Google.
Aimed at Guinean entrepreneurs, these training seminars followed by a competition aim to equip 25 Guinean companies with digital tools in order to increase their impact and develop their businesses in a sustainable way. The contest winner will also be offered a contribution and other benefits. This competition aims to provide Guinean entrepreneurs with digital tools, but also to support them in defining a strategy to extend their impact and develop their businesses in a sustainable way.
For three (3) days, the shortlisted candidates will then participate in training sessions which will be led by representatives of the American company Google. These sessions will focus on digital marketing, the use of digital tools and social media. Quick meetings with tutors who will allow them to work on their presentation before the final presentation of their project in front of a jury.
In his opening speech, Salimatou Sako, Vice President of SADEN, explained the objectives of this session.
“SADEN wants to be a practical tool and also a tool that fits into the Guinean entrepreneurial ecosystem, which exists and does things, but a platform that continues to inform, think and support entrepreneurs. So this opportunity was given to us by the US Embassy, Google is there through them so that we can contribute to what is already being done well, but it is really equipping entrepreneurs with digital tools. Digital Covid-19, the Covid crisis has shown us, digital has imposed itself on us. As the name of the competition implies, these are digital tools for innovation. So the idea is to keep equipping businesses so they can continue to have a real impact. It is one thing to start a business, but it has to continue, it has to be able to grow, it has to be a successful business. So this event is not just an event, but really a tool that will allow companies to move forward. So we really thank the US Embassy and the Google team who made the trip. “ she said.
Initially 150 companies applied, about forty attended the training, after which 25 companies will be selected for the final competition. Among these 25 companies, one will be selected by the jury.
Troy Fitrell, US Ambassador to Guinea, explained the motivation of the US to support this project. ”
Motivation is the future of Guinea. We have young Guinean entrepreneurs in this room. They are very creative, very ambitious and we have the opportunity to have this training to move forward in the future. Google has arrived in Guinea and I am very happy because they are companies with excellent digital tools for all purposes in the world. And having Google as a partner is an incredible opportunity “ he mentioned.
“It is really a real desire of our company to invest in the continent. We have announced one billion investments over the next five years, to develop ecosystems, to drive physical infrastructure adoption of the Internet, to invest in human capital, to create platforms that facilitate technological innovation, and to work with stakeholders to have regulatory frameworks that facilitate ecosystem innovation so that young entrepreneurs have no barriers to entry and innovation takes over “ said Adama Diallo, head of Google’s strategic partnerships for Africa.
Aboubacar Kéita, Manager Guinea 360⁰, a platform that takes virtual photographs for the tourist sites and cultural heritage of the Republic of Guinea, is one of the participants. He welcomed Saden’s initiative which will also allow him to broaden his contacts.
“We found it necessary to photograph all our sites and make them virtual so that, in turn, those in Conakry or abroad can visit Guinea without having to travel already thanks to these images which are dynamic and can be moved. We applied for this training not only to have skills in entrepreneurship, even though we have been in entrepreneurship for some time, we are not organized, we are not structured. Many young people today need to structure themselves and thanks to this SADEN activity we can not only get to know other companies that are evolving in our same field, young entrepreneurs, but at the same time we can get to know the new Google tools, since we are already working with Google to promote Guinea in terms of culture and tourism. At the end of these training sessions, we can be sure that our company is much better known nationally and internationally because the training is focused on the use of the digital tool to promote your business “, he rejoiced.
According to the organizers, at the end of the competition, the winner will receive a scholarship worth $ 3,000, five companies will also benefit from a year of mentoring and a subscription to a platform that will allow them better access to the local market.
Diop Ramatoulaye
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