About CAE

A community serving African entrepreneurship.

Our values and mission

Building tomorrow's entrepreneurial Africa.

The African Entrepreneurs Club (CAE) was born from the observation that, despite their role as drivers of social stability and economic growth, only just over 30% of African SMEs survive the critical three-year threshold. They suffer from insufficient access to high value-added services, such as technical assistance or professional training for entrepreneurs and their teams.

They also lack visibility to showcase their achievements, and entrepreneurs often face significant isolation due to limited exchanges with peers at national, regional or international levels.

To address these challenges, CAE promotes the contribution of entrepreneurship to development issues in Africa through a best-practices exchange platform bringing together engaged, high-quality entrepreneurs. Driven by the Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) impact fund family, its mission is to advocate for the entrepreneurial cause and develop economic opportunities both within and beyond its member network.

Our history

Ten years serving African entrepreneurship.

Founded in 2015 at the initiative of Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), the African Entrepreneurs Club was born from the conviction that a pan-African network of committed entrepreneurs can sustainably transform the continent's economic fabric.

In a decade, CAE has established itself as a recognized player in the African entrepreneurial ecosystem, now bringing together over 300 companies operating in 14 sub-Saharan African countries, around a shared project: fostering an ambitious, supportive and sustainable entrepreneurial class.

2015

CAE founded

Official creation of the African Entrepreneurs Club, an association under Ivorian law initiated by the Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) impact fund family.

2025

Today

300 member companies, 14 sub-Saharan African countries, a new 2025-2027 Executive Board elected to carry the continental ambition forward.

Our values

Four principles that guide us.

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Solidarity

A supportive network where everyone gives as much as they receive.

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Excellence

High standards as a driving force, to bring forth ambitious projects.

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Pan-Africanism

A continental vision open to the world and the diaspora.

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Innovation

Think differently to build tomorrow's business models.

Our objectives

A pan-African vocation

CAE is an association under Ivorian law founded in 2015 (Law No. 60-315 of September 21, 1960). The Club contributes to the emergence of a high-quality pan-African entrepreneurial class through five core objectives.

Support the entrepreneurial cause

Defend African SMEs by carrying their voice to institutions and public decision-makers.

Responsible community

Contribute to the emergence of an engaged and responsible African entrepreneurial community.

Develop skills

Strengthen the skills of member companies' teams in areas related to their core business.

Shared values & ethics

Promote the values and ethics shared by club members.

Socio-economic realities

Highlight African socio-economic realities through the showcasing of members' activities.

300+ Member companies

14 Sub-Saharan African countries

5+ Industries represented

Our services for members

Business Development Advocacy Trainings Networking

Who are our members?

African SMEs across all sectors.

The Club primarily brings together SMEs operating in an African context, regardless of industry. Agribusiness, healthcare, education, digital — all economic realities driven by committed entrepreneurs.

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