24 Jan 2024
From December 12th to 14th 2023, MedWaves participated in the Arab SMEs Summit 2023 organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills of Morocco. The summit brought together over 1,000 participants from across Arab States in Hotel Rotana Palemraie Golf, in Marrakech. It served as a crucial platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among stakeholders dedicated to fostering Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the Arab world.
Sessions and workshops content varied from latest disruptive business models and technologies, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and virtual reality to boost online sales, access markets or funding.
Among the guests, some Switchers and recently incubated green entrepreneurs from different countries and sectors were present at The Switchers’ booth, set next to Prima program, BusinessMed and WE4F ones under the EU pavillon, or at their booths, and also and throughout the SME Opportunity Zone.
Switchers Safeancleanjo, Innomobility solutions, Ultra Biotech, NextAv, InnovAlgae, EnviSpec, TADWIR, and DigiFirm represented how they are contributing concretely to green transitions in the Middle East and North Africa.
Meet our innovators:
DIGI FIRM provides digital solutions for the Moroccan agriculture sector
Tadwir : Recycles poultry and fish waste sector for the production of pet food in Morocco.
SILVA 4.0 is an application for prevention of forest fires, felling of trees and poaching
NextAv is a 3D mapping and high-resolution aerial photography service based on the STORM motorized ultralight aircraft (ULM) developed by the Tunisian company AVIONAV
InnovAlgae: Valorizes and recycles algae waste for the needs of the cosmetics and pet food industries in Tunisia.
EnviSpec supports Egyptian farmers adapt to climate change and improve crop productivity by providing them with rapid soil spectral analytical testing services to make informed decisions about their crops and soil health.
UltraBiotech specializes in the production of high-quality and eco-friendly organic fertilizers in Egypt.
Innomobility Solutions provides affordable mobility solutions for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Using 3D printing technology, recyclable materials, and extended battery life They developed wheelchair that moves based on head movement.
Safeancleanjo is a dynamic waste management company with a unique approach to managing waste for a friendlier environment.
The impact of The Switchers network has been very tangible during a special gathering between Switchers inside the hotel allowing them to get to know each other better and help synergies and collaboration emerge and develop.
As part of the summit, Medwaves organized the third edition of “The Switchers Talks”. The event took place on December 13th at Roseraie Hall.
This offered a unique opportunity for The Switchers to share their inspiring entrepreneurial journeys and connect newly incubated green startups with some investors, fellow entrepreneurs, and other key players in the Green Economy empowering the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.
Ananda Alonso Nacher , Impact Investment Project Manager, moderated the session “Access to Finance for Green Entrepreneurs” with financial actors Prima Program, HappySmala, FEBEA, AlfanarVP, Impact Europe and CTPES. Together they discussed and how SMEs can become investment-ready to their own venture capitals, and provided them with valuable insights into current and upcoming funding opportunities available in the region.
You can watch the full video of the Switchers Talks 3 event here.
The summit concluded with great news, as on the final day, the Switcher Younes Wazri founder of Ecodome Maroc was one of the winners in UNESCWA‘s SME competition. With this regional recognition for his innovative and sustainable construction solution, the startup is set to expand more rapidly accessing markets worldwide.
