Official Launch of COPAF

Netherlands: Official Launch of the Connect Pro Afrique Platform

Almere, April 11, 2025 – The Francophone African diaspora in the Netherlands has reached a major milestone with the official launch of Connect Pro Afrique (COPAF), a platform dedicated to promoting and supporting African entrepreneurs. The event took place this past Friday in the presence of several distinguished guests and key figures from the economic and diplomatic spheres.

De gauche à droite: Ahmed Bamba , Nùria Vlonck Cunha Soares, Nadine van der Maas

Mr. Ahmed Bamba, Director of Communication and Public Relations at COPAF, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the symbolic presence of His Excellency Mr. Youssouf Diarrassouba, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to the Netherlands, who was represented on this occasion by a delegation led by Mr. Kouakou Clovis, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy.

In his speech, Mr. Bamba made a strong appeal to African diplomatic missions:“It is time for African embassies to build meaningful connections with their diasporas. The skills are here—available and ready to contribute to the development of our countries.”

The event also welcomed the notable presence of Núria Vlonk-Cunha Soares, Deputy Director General of the Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC), as well as representatives from RVO, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

Several African diaspora entrepreneurs shared their journeys and experiences.Lassy Gnini, founder of the real estate agency Limimmo (operating in France, the United States, and the Netherlands), and Davide Sarr of NSBCC Consultant, who is highly active on the African continent, delivered both inspiring and honest testimonies about the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Taking the floor next, Ms. Nadine van der Maas, COPAF’s Director of Marketing and Projects, encouraged African entrepreneurs to invest in collaboration and mutual trust:“Alone we go fast, but together we go far.”

To close the event, Mr. Bamba unveiled the main pillars of the platform’s upcoming activities: training workshops, networking events, business trips between Africa and Europe, as well as cultural gatherings. He called on all African entrepreneurs, whether based in Europe or on the continent, to join COPAF:“This platform is yours. Let’s bring it to life—together.”

— A. Bamba (Podcast Bambatalk)