Tunis: Phase II of the WIDU.africa project to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Tunisia was launched on February 29, 2024. A WIDU Awards ceremony was held on the occasion, to honour the outstanding entrepreneurs who took part in phase I of the project. WIDU.africa is a project commissioned by German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Technical Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ). It was officially launched in Tunisia in December 2021. In collaboration with the African diaspora in Europe, WIDU applies an innovative approach that combines funding and coaching to strengthen new and existing small businesses in Africa, which then leads to the creation of new jobs. Officially launched in 2019 in Cameroon and Ghana, the project's activities have been extended to 4 other African countries. Phase II of the project will run until September 2026. Together with WIDU, Tunisians living in?Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden or Switzerland?can support their friends or family in their entrepreneurial endeavors through an innovative and digital approach. In concrete terms, each?entrepreneur in Tunisia sponsored by a relative living in the 7 participating countries in Europe, can obtain a grant from WIDU of up to EUR 2,500, and benefit from 3 personalised coaching sessions. To date, the WIDU project has supported 533 SMEs in Tunisia and helped maintain and create 1,274 jobs, 59% of which were for women. Besides, WIDU has provided 1,185 personalised coaching sessions tailored to the needs of female entrepreneurs. In total, nearly TND 3.3 million were raised in the form of joint private investment between the diaspora and the entrepreneurs. Taking the floor, German ambassador to Tunisia Peter Prgel recalled the activities of Tunisian-German development cooperation in Tunisia, touching on the existing opportunities for diaspora involvement and underlining the importance of joint action in empowering businesses, making the mo st of the diaspora and sustainable economic development. During the ceremony, 18 outstanding entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the WIDU project since 2022 were rewarded for the excellence and innovation of their projects in 6 different categories: Tech and Innovation, Agribusiness, Female Entrepreneurship, Crafts and Green Entrepreneurship. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse