The 2022 special edition of CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa has been scheduled to be held in Dubai, for African firms enabling the underserved and unbanked.
Organised by the LHoFT Foundation, the CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa focuses on advancing financial inclusion and empowering the unserved and underserved that have been left out by traditional financial systems.
This special edition of CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa will leverage Luxembourg’s Inclusive Finance and Fintech ecosystem to support selected firms in developing their businesses and achieving their inclusion goals.
These firms include companies focusing on financial inclusion in Africa and the MENA region, aiming to build bridges with Luxembourg’s Microfinance Industry, highlighting their initiatives and very much aligned with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s finance centre.
Benefit
- Selected firms will get unique exposure to the Dubai finance and Fintech ecosystem with the support of DIFC Fintech Hive Dubai
- The 3-day programme will end with a pitching session and evening gala at the Luxembourg Pavilion at the World expo 2020, in the presence of Luxembourg’s Minister of Economy and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, H.E. Franz Fayot
- Connection to stakeholders like Microfinance Institutions, investors and industry experts
- Opportunity to learn how to become more efficient and effective in reaching underserved market segments
- LHoFT will reimburse reasonable travel costs to reach Dubai, using Economy Class Airline Carrier, up to 2000€ per person/company (or equivalent)
- The participants will be hosted in one of the best hotels in Dubaï, for the duration of the programme
- Breakfast and lunches will be provided, probably some dinners as well
Eligibility
- Selected firms will have, at least, a demonstrable Minimum Viable Product (“MVP”) and will likely be in the pre-seed to seed stage of funding
- Companies must be active in the financial inclusion field, helping underserved and unbanked populations in Africa and the MENA region get access to financial products and services
- Companies will submit all necessary information to the LHoFT in order to assess the viability of the project, company, background of owners and key shareholders to limit the risks of non-compliance or doubtful application to the programme
- Companies must agree and shall provide on-going performance metrics and business status for a period of three years post programme completion to the LHoFT for the purposes of programme evaluation
- The selected firm must guarantee that a founding team member, typically the CEO, will attend the programme for the duration of the 3 days
- The programme is particularly interested in hearing from firms in payments and related services
How to apply
Is your firm active in financial inclusion? Do you help the underserved and unbanked population in Africa? Then apply for CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa before the deadline on Sunday, February 27, 2022.
