Denis Opudo
Hanae Bezad, a former consultant to companies on the CAC40 French stock market index initiated high-tech in Morocco. Hanae learned the prerequisite tech-skills from South America. Her effort led to the launching of Le Wagon Casablanca which is a French concept to Morocco. The initiative is an accelerated programming training for all young entrepreneurs interested in joining a start-up. The program conducts 9 months intensive training in technical skills as well as dedication and teamwork. She noted that by seven weeks of training, trainees are equipped with skills to enable them to build mobile platforms. The remaining two weeks are used for only students who want to build their own innovative projects.
The course is one of the first digital entrepreneurship in the entire North Africa region. In Morocco, there is a great shortage of engineers since the country can only produce 3000 software engineers annually. This number is about 30% of the country market demand for engineers. Therefore, the initiative will help by training several youths annually to boost the number of engineers in the country.
Bezad noted that her return to launch digital startup sector in Morocco is highly beneficial. For instance, the upcoming talented youths across the country will acquire basic training for only 9 weeks. The initiative will thus connect the Arab world and Africa continent for business transactions. The institution is however very conscious of regional differences. The markets in the continent are less mature as compared to those in Asia, Europe or Western markets.
According to Wamda report, approximately $815 million funds were invested in North Africa and Middle East region startup in 2016. In the same year, United States invested $69.1 billion funds in startups.
Another area of difference is in the MENA markets especially in Asia and in developed Western countries. In those regions, technology such as e-commerce, the blockchain, and websites among others has a greater impact than in Africa. The maturity of MENA market in the continent is attainable through accelerated quality teaching and inclusive approach to the selection of students. The institution is interested to reach more youths and women in the country and across North Africa region.
The initiative current focus is to educate financial stakeholders and partnership creation in order to foster entrepreneurship.
