The Monaco Association of Entrepreneurial Women (AFECM) held a press conference to present their project in Dakar. The AFCEM in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, the Dakar Town Hall and the Association of Entrepreneurial Women of Senegal, launched on November 15th, 2012 in Dakar the first contest for the creation of innovative companies for women in the information and communications technology field. The Contest of Female Numerical Entrepreneurship under the abbreviation CENFEM, has as objective to sensitize women in their pioneering efforts, and offer them better chances of success. The contest, that will be featured in the Senegalese media until the closing date of March 30th, 2013, is divided in two categories: one is the creation of a digital company, and the other the creation of new products or services in the area of technology, information and communication (TIC). 

The best projects identified will be selected by a grand jury made up of representatives from the participating generous partners, among which we count: The Cooperation International de Monaco (CIM), Mercure International, Ascoma, The Cuomo Foundation, Sonema, The SOCOCIM Foundation, Microsoft, Sonatel, The Polytechnic University (ESP), Cinekap, RASEF (African Network for the Support of Female Entrepreneurship) and Axxend. The winners will receive a prize to enable them to create their own firms or complete their activity, and will also benefit from support on the field to give them all the chances to succeed. A total bourse of €30,000 will be allotted to the creation of 3 companies and €9,000 for the creation of a new activity for 3 existing companies. The prizes will consist of equipment, software and training. A 12-months accompanying support will be granted. Up to date there are already 60 registrations for the contest as a proof of the great interest created among the female population in that area of the world.

For more information visit the site of the contest www.cenfem.org and the site of AFCEM www.afce-monaco.org

Photo by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha: from left to right - Véronique Houdrouge (Mercure International), Patricia Husson (Ascoma), Jérôme Froissard (Cooperation International of Monaco), D. Wilfred (CIM), Sylvan Cohen (Honorary Consul of Senegal a Monaco), Erik Reksten (Cuomo Foundation), Hilde Heye (AFCEM), Joëlle Baccialon (AFCEM), Francine Conrad (AFCEM), L. Frateschi (Cuomo Foundation), A.F. Ballaro (Cuomo Foundation) and Nicole Delacour-Law (AFCEM)