The opening ceremony of the 13th FIED, held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Guinea, Lieutenant General Mamady Doumbouya, was attended by the Guinean Prime Minister, Mr Amadou Oury Bah, and several members of his government, including Mrs Charlotte Daffé Touré, the Minister for women promotion, children and Vulnerable Persons, whose ministry was a partner in the event. 

The ceremony was also attended by a number of eminent foreign figures, including the former transitional Head of State of the Central African Republic, Ms Catherine Samba-Panza, FIED's patron, and the ministers for women's affairs from Chad, Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon, Ms Amina Priscille Longoh, Ms Nassénéba Touré and Ms Estelle Ondo, who is no longer in office. Not forgetting the various delegations from Africa, Europe, Asia and America.

In all, 25 countries were represented at the FIED in Conakry. A strong foreign presence testifies to the importance of the event on the international scene.

The atmosphere was one so exciting and solemnity. The speeches delivered by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries highlighted the crucial challenges and issues facing women, while emphasising the importance of international cooperation to boost the economic empowerment of African women in general and Guinean women in particular.

‘This is a Forum of solutions for Africa’

Taking the floor, Ms Catherine Samba-Panza paid a well-deserved tribute to Ms Djelika YEO, the founding President of FIED, and her entire team, before sharing her personal experience when she had the onerous task of managing the transition in a CAR in the midst of a political and military crisis.

The ministers from Chad and Côte d'Ivoire, in particular, shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing their respective countries, strengthening the ties between the nations present in the spirit of sharing experience.

Performances of inspiring models, incorporating elements of the specificities of each country, were also a highlight of the three days. They provided an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and wealth of experience, while creating a sense of unity among the participants.

The opening ceremony was not just an introduction to an event, but also a platform for promoting dialogue and collaboration between nations. They all hoped that the forum would produce concrete results.

" FIED is much more than a simple meeting, it is a space for sharing ideas, experiences, innovations and creating synergies. It is, in a word, a forum for solutions to the problem of the economic empowerment of women in Africa’said Ms Djelika Yeo. 

The 13th edition of the FIED was therefore a high point, marking a decisive turning point for women's entrepreneurship in Guinea. The rich and varied discussions helped to identify concrete avenues for reflection and action to support women in their entrepreneurial initiatives.

The recommendations made at the end of the proceedings highlighted the need for greater support for women in the development of their projects, in particular through the creation of appropriate infrastructures, access to information, training and financing mechanisms. 

At the end of the three days of panel discussions and intense debates, the expected spin-offs were there for all to see. The forum paved the way for fruitful partnerships, joint initiatives for a better future, collaboration and cooperation, not to mention promises to raise funds and declarations of good intent to support and accompany women's entrepreneurship in Guinea.

All these acts testify to the commitment of the players present to support women's entrepreneurship in Guinea.

The 13th FIED in Conakry was a resounding success. Not only did it celebrate the achievements of enterprising women, it also paved the way for new collaborations and a collective commitment to women's economic empowerment.

As the host country, Guinea demonstrated its hospitality and commitment to the cause of women, making this 13th edition a real springboard for the future of women's entrepreneurship on the African continent.

@From our special envoy in Conakry, Clément YAO