About SOE
Connecting African entrepreneurs to the international market
A strategic platform for structured economic exchange, targeted B2B meetings, company visits and lasting partnerships.
Our mission
The Entrepreneurs’ Opportunities Week (SOE) is a strategic platform dedicated to connecting African entrepreneurs to the international market, through structured economic exchanges, targeted B2B meetings, company visits and lasting partnerships.
From its first to its sixth edition, SOE has enabled hundreds of entrepreneurs to showcase their expertise, forge strategic partnerships and access new markets.
- Build bridges between African entrepreneurs and international partners
- Foster B2B meetings, company visits, economic forums and cultural exchanges
- Promote local innovation, entrepreneurial leadership and sustainable investment
Since its first edition, SOE has:
- Brought together entrepreneurs from over 10 countries
- Fostered hundreds of B2B meetings
- Led to the signing of partnerships, investments and lasting collaborations
- Strengthened the image of a bold and innovative African entrepreneurship
Figures that reflect our commitment to revealing, connecting and propelling entrepreneurs toward success.
Entrepreneurs connected
1,200
since the first edition
Partnerships concluded
125
agreements and investments
Countries represented
10
Africa, China, Türkiye
Editions held
7
the 7th takes place in May 2027
Our goals
- Showcase local expertise
- Facilitate the signing of partnerships and business agreements
- Strengthen economic integration between participating nations
- Build a committed and supportive community of entrepreneurs
The goals of each edition
- Create a first platform for exchange between African entrepreneurs and international partners
- Strengthen the SOE network and expand business opportunities for African entrepreneurs
- Build on what has been achieved, create lasting synergies and promote local entrepreneurship within an international setting
Key activities of an edition
B2B meetings to foster partnerships
Company visits and exchanges with investors
Institutional visits
Tourism
Results and impact
- Signing of partnerships and business agreements
- Networking between entrepreneurs and investors
- Sharing of expertise and access to international opportunities
The editions
From Türkiye to China and then Benin: each edition opens up a new economic ecosystem for participants.
- SOE 7Cotonou, Benin3 to 8 May 2027
- SOE 6Cotonou, Benin13 to 17 July 2026Revisit
- Benin–China economic missionCotonou, Benin6 to 7 January 2026Revisit
- SOE 5Cotonou, Benin13 to 20 September 2025Revisit
- SOE 4Istanbul, Türkiye4 to 13 July 2025Revisit
- SOE 3Pékin, China5 to 15 July 2024Revisit
- SOE 2Istanbul, Türkiye7 to 14 October 2023Revisit
- SOE 1Istanbul, Türkiye15 to 22 July 2023Revisit