The Orange Corners Mali Demo Day recently brought together a passionate audience and many influential personalities around the young entrepreneurs from the programme’s first cohort. Chaired by Her Excellency Caecilia T.M. Wigers, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Mali, this emblematic event highlighted inspiring projects that are redefining the future of entrepreneurship in Mali.
Distinguished guests included Ms Mama Ouallette and Mr Adama Camara (both representatives of the Azalaï Foundation, the programme’s first private partner), Dr Tidiane Ball (Managing Director of DoniLab, implementing partner), Mr Ward Karssemeijer (programme coordinator for the Dutch agency RVO) and Mr Mohamed Keita (representative of Zira Capital, implementing partner of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund), all of whom came to support these young talents.
Participants were able to discover a wide range of initiatives in agriculture, sustainable production and much more. This Demo Day not only revealed promising talent, but also demonstrated the transformative impact of the support offered by the programme, opening up new prospects for Mali’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Orange Corners: a promising future for entrepreneurs in Mali !
The Orange Corners Mali Demo Day is a key event celebrating the boldness and dedication of young Malian entrepreneurs. Our programme continues to offer unique opportunities to tomorrow’s leaders, who are determined to build a prosperous and resilient Mali.
Testimonials: words from the laureates
Namory Diarra, AGRI-BIO (Ségou)
AGRI-BIO, founded by Namory Diarra, is dedicated to producing quality organic vegetables in Pélegana, Ségou. The company stands out for its commitment to the well-being of the local community, providing fresh, affordable produce. Thanks to its expertise in sustainable agriculture, Namory is working to transform the food supply in its region.
Namory: I would like to thank DoniLab for the support provided by Orange Corners. It has enabled me to improve my entrepreneurial skills and formalise my business. I managed to increase my turnover by 90%! Thanks to this experience, I was able to better structure my activities and draw up a clear procedures manual. The training and support I received were exceptional.
Mohamed Bagayoko, Agro-Pastoral Farm (Sikasso)
The Ferme Moderne Agro-Pastorale, founded by Mohamed Bagayoko, is an innovative player in the agro-pastoral sector. Located in Natien, it specialises in dairy and livestock production, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and climate-smart practices. Mohamed, who benefits from family mentoring, is striving to become a leader in the transformation of the agri-food sector in Mali.
Mohamed: the Orange Corners programme has been a real springboard for me. I developed essential skills in leadership, business management and digital marketing. Thanks to these lessons, my sales have increased by 30%. I’ve been able to structure my business and get customers in the sub-region, which was unthinkable before.
Fatoumata Touré, LAWALE Production (Bamako)
LAWALE Production is a major player in the processing of dairy products in Mali. With an all-female production team, the company offers a range of products, including yoghurts, butter and mozzarella. LAWALE embodies the spirit of innovation and empowerment within the dairy industry, with a commitment to delivering high quality products to its customers.
Fatoumata: thanks to Orange Corners, I’ve been able to assess my production costs, which have fallen by 10%. I now have a clear vision of my business, with a well-defined mission and objectives, as well as optimised accounting management. This experience has really transformed the way I manage my business.
Interview with Tidiane Ball, Managing Director of DoniLab
In an insightful interview, Tidiane Ball, (Managing Director of DoniLab), shared his vision of the Orange Corners programme and its role in Mali’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Can you tell us more about DoniLab’s role in the Orange Corners Mali programme?
Tidiane Ball: as an implementing partner, DoniLab plays more than just a local role. We’re part of a global network where information is shared across borders, allowing us to bring Malian entrepreneurs insights enriched by the experiences and best practices from other Orange Corners programmes worldwide. We work directly with entrepreneurs to understand local economic, social and cultural realities. We don’t just offer technical tools. Our mission is to facilitate, connect and support young talent in this often difficult context, so that they can succeed here in Mali.
What motivates DoniLab to partner with Orange Corners?
Our motivation comes from the desire to enable young Malians to carry out meaningful projects for themselves and for society. By joining forces with Orange Corners, we have the opportunity to support initiatives with a strong economic, social and environmental impact. This partnership is also an extension of our commitment to sustainable change, by and for Malians.
What skills have the entrepreneurs developed through the programme?
The skills they have acquired are rich and varied. They have learned to structure their business models, make realistic financial projections and analyse their markets in depth. But most of all, they have gained in resilience, a crucial quality for coping with the challenges of the Malian context.
What challenges does the programme help entrepreneurs to overcome?
At present, entrepreneurs face many obstacles: limited access to finance, logistical constraints, market pressures, not to mention the energy crisis. Through training and support, they acquire the tools to prepare, pivot if necessary, and seize opportunities in sometimes complex conditions.
What is your vision of the future for entrepreneurship in Mali?
Entrepreneurship in Mali is in a state of flux. There is enormous potential, especially in agriculture and digital technology, sectors where the need for innovation is crucial. I see a future in which Malian entrepreneurs contribute more and more to the economic value chain by bringing appropriate and sustainable solutions to their communities.
One last question: what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
My advice would be to get trained, surround yourself with the right people, and remain humble while being ambitious. Entrepreneurship requires courage, patience and the ability to learn from every failure. You have to be prepared to step out of your comfort zone and persevere despite the obstacles, because success often comes after a lot of effort and trial and error. This is essential if they are to succeed here, while cultivating the resilience that will take them far.
