The Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI) is pleased to announce it is leading the consortium selected by the French Development Agency (AFD) to develop a strategic study aimed at identifying intervention opportunities within the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Angola.
With a total budget of 112,900 euros and a total duration of six months, this project, financed by AFD under contract SYF-2025-0075, aims to support future initiatives that promote economic diversification, strengthen the business environment and improve access to finance for entrepreneurs and growing businesses.
The study aligns with the targets established by the 2023–2027 National Development Plan and public entrepreneurship policies coordinated by INAPEM, addressing the main challenges faced by entrepreneurs and SMEs, namely regulatory barriers, limited access to credit, a lack of business support services, and weaknesses in technical and digital training. The study is expected to produce three main outputs, namely an updated diagnosis of the SME and entrepreneurship ecosystem, identifying investment opportunities and underserved segments. The second output is linked to intervention models and strategic options for AFD, including potential financial instruments, technical assistance schemes, and national structures capable of hosting support programmes. Lastly, an integrated vision for future operations, ensuring complementarity with initiatives by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Union.
As leader, SPI ensures overall coordination, strategic analysis, institutional mapping and the formulation of intervention options to strengthen the SME and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Angola. The consortium also includes EBN, IPC and Renascença Digital, bringing together complementary expertise in SME financing, business development, gender, inclusion and sustainability.
The anticipated impact includes improved access to financing, the strengthening of national institutional capacities, and a contribution to job creation and the country's economic diversification.