Ancrages - France strengthens its partnership with the African diasporas (17 April 2025)

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On Wednesday, April 16, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot traveled to Marseille for the second edition of the Ancrages Forum, which is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship between African countries and France. The forum, which was organized by the association Les Déterminés, with support from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, brought together several hundred participants from the African diasporas and all of France.

The Minister took this opportunity to reaffirm France’s commitment to the African diasporas, which play a key role in the dialogue, innovation and development that takes place between the two shores of the Mediterranean Sea. To this end, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has put together an African Diasporas Action Plan involving the entire diplomatic network, both in France and at our embassies in Africa. The plan comprises several foundational projects backed by our public service providers and partners:

  • The MEET Africa and Pass Africa programs have already supported over 3,000 entrepreneurs to date. In Marseille, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs announced the launch of the third edition of the Pass Africa program. In 2025, it will provide support to 20 new entrepreneurs – the future business success stories spanning France and Africa;
  • The Choose Africa program, the flagship initiative for funding the African private sector, has funded over 40,000 African businesses and several hundred thousand micro-entrepreneurs for a total of €‎3.5 billion. Choose Africa 2 (2023-2027) will bring the private sector new backers and support French businesses looking to expand into Africa.
  • The DIASDEV program aims to reduce the cost of money transfers and develop innovative financial products for the diasporas. This program has likewise been renewed for 2025.
  • The Digital Africa program helps African digital entrepreneurs roll out high-impact tech innovation by providing them with technical, financial and institutional assistance.

The Minister recalled that the House of African Worlds (MansA) will be unveiled this June in Paris. MansA, which will be home to conversation, innovation and debate, will feature contemporary African art and also serve as a lab for entrepreneurship that allows people to create connections and share stories.

On June 21, the day of the Fête de la musique, the Quai d’Orsay will highlight the African diasporas at a unique evening event where the diasporas’ talent and musical creativity will have pride of place. A third edition of the Ancrages Forum will also take place at the end of 2025.

Furthermore, the Minister stated that he is looking forward to the second edition of the Democracy Forum of the Innovation Foundation for Democracy (FIDEMO), which will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from June 19-22, following on from the forum’s exciting first edition in Cape Verde last year.

In addition, the Minister reiterated the importance of the African Art Forum, the second edition of which will be taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, in October 2025. A major event on the cultural calendar, this forum offers the chance to highlight all the French and African initiatives under way in the cultural and creative industries.

Lastly, the Ancrages Forum in Marseille is an important part of the 2026 Mediterranean Season, which is dedicated to the ties that bind together the peoples of the Mediterranean. This cultural, civic-minded season, which is coordinated by the Institut français, will make its mark throughout France, the Maghreb and the Middle East.