Rome, 8th February 2023 - RES4Africa Foundation and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)  brought their expertise on the Water-Energy-Food  Nexus to the first edition of the EU-Niger Business Forum in Niamey, Niger, organising the joint session Accelerate enterprises related to the water, energy and food sectors in Niger. The panel took place on the  8th of February 2023 in the framework of the National Regional Dialogue Programme  whose mandate is to promote the institutionalization of the WEF Nexus approach in national and regional governance structures and investments decisions.

Representing a unique platform for public-private dialogue, the event was attended by representatives from RES4Africa and GIZ, the European Union Delegation, the German Embassy, the Centre Incubateur et de Création des Entreprises (CICE), the Niger-based enterprises Green Business, Sahel Electronique, the Tony Blair Institute, Trama TecnoAmbiental and a representative of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as other regional organizations and public institutions.

The discussion revolved around the most promising WEF technologies and business models in the Niger Basin, as well as what could stimulate investments in the water, energy and food sectors. The experts also discussed the main obstacles that private companies and financing institutions face when investing in water-energy-food nexus-oriented enterprises, as well as the challenges that young and innovative entrepreneurs have to face in Niger.

The organizing entities expect that the session will help to provide a platform for further investment opportunities in the water, energy and food sectors in Niger, as well as to provide support for young and innovative entrepreneurs.