As global industrial and economic dynamics evolve, Africa is increasingly recognised as a continent of strategic importance. Its growing population, expanding urban centres, and rising digital penetration are transforming the continent into a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth. In this context, initiatives like BIC Africa, which supports the establishment and strengthening of business incubators, play a crucial role. Commissioned by the European Union and implemented by the European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN), BIC Africa provides business support organisations in Angola, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Somalia, and the Comoros with capacity-building, networking, and quality assistance. The aim is to improve market access, strengthen value chains, and create new business opportunities. Through a quality management system tailored for incubators, BIC Africa supports continuous improvement and the development of certification schemes, fostering more resilient innovation ecosystems.
As an associate member of EBN, CSIL provides analytical support and strategic insights for the project. Through research, benchmarking, and annual surveys of business support organisations, CSIL aids in interpreting country-specific data, with the potential to extend this model to other African nations, contributing to the development of innovation-oriented value chains and ecosystems that drive economic growth and regional development.
EBN is a not-for-profit that connects a pan-European network, using innovation to drive regional development. Its initiatives include quality business support programmes and EU|BIC certification, which supports start-ups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs with high-level business and innovation services. EBN also fosters global collaboration through its Special Interest Groups, which promote networking and knowledge exchange on topics such as sustainability, circular economy, and manufacturing. CSIL has been an associate member of EBN since 2019.
An article titled “Supporting Innovation and Capacity Building in Africa” is featured in the current edition (06) of World Furniture Online, CSIL's free magazine offering economic perspectives, market analysis, and data-backed insights drawn from CSIL’s international research and project work.
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