About AAE

The African Association of Entrepreneurs (legally registered in Ghana, West Africa, as Association of African Entrepreneurs) is a renowned business organization in the African region, aimed at providing a strong united entity for entrepreneurs to address challenges. The brand background is based on the values of fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. The association offers professional demand services such as industry insights, entrepreneurial training, business collaboration, and investor connections. AAE helps entrepreneurs enhance their business skills, expand networks, and provides support in a competitive environment. 

Vision

AAE Vision is to be an engine for change and platform for dialogue for African SMEs.

Mission

AAE Mission is to establish a mutually beneficial sharing system where entrepreneurs and expert volunteers exchange experiences and participate in learning and service.

Objectives

• Create a virtual space for creative and cultural expression where diverse SMEs can showcase their excellence.
• Contribute to regional advocacy campaigns that support and encourage innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship.
• Work with governmental institutions to promote innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Provide and support professional development programs that promote and nurture innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship Involve international volunteers and audiences to encourage them to have an active role in assisting African SMEs.

Our History & Record

Africa Association of Entrepreneurs supports sustainable development in businesses throughout Africa. The key focus is on advocacy, education, information and networking support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

In 2004, AAE cooperated with Tree of Life International, a local NGO and the the National Youth Service Secretariat in Apam Community, a community located in the Central Region of Ghana. AAE facilitated entrepreneurial training sessions and youth-led programmes to encourage and support entrepreneurship amongst the youth.

AAE provided resource persons for their entrepreneurial training sessions and youth-led programmes to encourage and support entrepreneurship amongst the youth.

In May 2005, AAE implemented a project titled ‘Promoting the Use of ICTs in Pro-private Sector Reform’, funded by Ghana’s Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) fund, which  set up an Online Advocacy Toolkit (OAT) for entrepreneurs.

In 2010, AAE started a program of support for volunteers interested in establishing independently managed AAE units in differnt countries, which resulted in sister AAE organisations in Nigeria, Uganda and USA.

In 2011,  AAE started a publication project that assembles and disseminates written article contributions on the business environment. The project analyses and compares the business environments of most African countries and the reports are published on the AAE website. The AAE Team responsible for his project won the United Nations Online Volunteering Awards for 2012 and 2013.

In  2012, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations granted Special consultative status to  Africa Association of Entrepreneurs. This enable AAE to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in a number of ways.

In 2013, AAE supported the expansion of  Zidisha Inc., a USA based peer-to-peer lending service, to Ghana. Today Zidisha Inc, provides affordable lending to over 1200 borrowers/entrepreneurs in Ghana

Between 2015 -2016, AAE partnered with  Child and Youth Finance International (Netherlands) to train over one hundred and fifty young entrepreneurs under a project funded by the European Union. The project offered entrepreneurs online mentoring activities, training events and boot camps in Ghana and Netherlands.

Between 2018 and 2019, AAE has provided business development services, including mentoring and business support to over seventy registered members in its database covering all continents and 19 countries.

Between 2022- 2023 About 400 entrepreneurs listed in our business and volunteer directories. Each quarter 20 entrepreneurs get connected to volunteer experts to get the support and advice they need to thrive.

The success story goes on…

Recent Activities

News Stories related to our activities

Growth Plan for 2022-2027

AAE’s growth plan include local projects and outreaches to not-so-techy entrepreneurs and underserved communities in Africa. Projects like training workshops, business clinics etc in various countries.

• Support for AfCFTA and intra-African trade
• Consultative status with UN ECOSOC
• Grant writing
• Member support research
• Training and development of key personnel