The first pan-African televised entrepreneurship competition is set to air on TV5MONDE's eight general channels, during prime time across 200 countries and territories. For the first time, a television program will spotlight Africa's entrepreneurial youth on the international stage, in the format of a competitive reality show. Developed in partnership with WeMake Productions, the show will follow selected candidates as they receive guidance from mentors leading up to the finale. Contestants will compete for a chance to win up to €500,000 to grow their business, according to a press release. The competition will unfold in four phases. It begins with an online call for applications, open until July 20. This will be followed by in-person meetings between mentors and shortlisted candidates in four major African economic capitals. Those selected will then participate in an entrepreneurial residency in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), where they will be guided by four renowned business leaders and face a series of challenges. The journey will culminate in a grand finale, during which the top 10 candidates will pitch their projects to a panel of investors. To be eligible, candidates must be French-speaking, have a business based in an African country, and present a structured, promising project. They must be available for filming between September and November 2025, hold a valid passport for travel to Ivory Coast and other potential filming locations, and be open to receiving entrepreneurial mentorship. Applications can be submitted via the official platform: https://castingtv5.wemakeproduction.fr. Filming is scheduled for fall 2025, with support from the Alliance of Francophone Employers, BPI France, and the French-African Foundation.
