CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa Program

Application Deadline: April 30th 2021

At the LHoFT, we strongly believe that financial technology is crucial to advancing financial inclusion, empowering groups that have been left behind by the traditional financial system. Whether it’s financing for rural farmers, point of sale technology for underbanked merchants, or specialised insurance products, the positive impact being driven by entrepreneurship is improving lives around the world. As such, Financial Inclusion is a key focus of the LHoFT Foundation.

Building on the success of the 2018 and 2020 editions of CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa, we are excited to launch the third edition of this unique program of Fintech startup development. Developed by the LHoFT Foundation, the program targets companies focusing on financial inclusion in Africa, aiming to build bridges between Africa and Europe, highlighting their initiatives and very much aligned with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s finance centre. In keeping with the times, and with public health guidelines, this edition will be entirely digital.

CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa will once again leverage Luxembourg’s Inclusive Finance and Fintech ecosystem to support selected firms in developing their businesses and achieving their inclusion goals.

When?

An 8 day training and networking Bootcamp, hosted online, for selected Fintech firms working to improve financial inclusion in Africa.

Who?

The Bootcamp leverages Luxembourg’s Inclusive Finance and Fintech ecosystem to support the selected firms in developing their businesses and achieving their inclusion goals.

Why?

Fintech as a tool to bolster financial inclusion by helping banks and microfinance institutions to become more efficient and effective in reaching underserved market segments.

What?

Building on the success and experience of past editions and other financial inclusion programs, this unique program is aligned with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s financial centre.

How?

Delivered in collaboration with key stakeholders from the microfinance, sustainable finance and traditional finance sectors.

Get Involved!

If you’re interested in being a mentor or sponsor for CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa 2021, get in touch with the contact information below.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa Program 2021

Application Deadline: Monday 30th of December 2019

CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa is a fully-funded week long bootcamp for companies that are aiming to develop financial inclusion in Africa. CATAPULT will cover all transport and accommodation costs, and the program itself is free – sponsored by PwC Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Government, and supported by a long list of partners.

CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa 2020 Bootcamp follows on from the success of the first Catapult Inclusion Africa Bootcamp, organised in November 2018, where 11 selected African Fintechs benefited from a tailor-made programme aligned with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s financial centre with the aim for the Fintechs to develop their businesses and achieve their inclusion goals.

CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa 2020 is back with a 1 week training and networking Bootcamp, hosted in Luxembourg between 1st and 8th March 2020, for 12 Fintech firms working to improve financial inclusion in Africa. The program is run in English. Travel and accommodation costs for the participating Fintech companies will be covered.

The principle aim of CATAPULT Africa is to provide support to promising Fintechs for Financial Inclusion startups and help them move to the next stage of their development in Africa and in Europe.

Parallel to the focus on startups, the bootcamp will support the promotion of Fintech for Financial Inclusion topic to the broader Responsible Finance sector in Luxembourg and beyond, to include PFIs, MFIs, Fund Managers,
Philanthropists, Advisory and Support firms. The goal is to highlight and promote synergies, collaboration and potential partnerships between the participating Fintechs and these institutions.

Finally, the bootcamp aims to promote and draw attention to the importance and value of Fintech for Financial Inclusion, through local and international media exposure, with the goal of focusing broad attention to the initiatives that are driving positive change in Africa.

Selection criteria:

The firms selected to participate to the programme will be operational, likely in the seed to Series A stage. However, each application will be assessed individually for promise and with consultation with our sponsors.

CATAPULT Inclusion Africa expect the majority of the selected firms to be based in Africa, but firms targeting Africa from other geographies, particularly from the EU, may also apply.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa Program 2020