Centre for African Entrepreneuship

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

The Centre for African Entrepreneurship (CAE) was established in 2015 to unlock the potential and talent within minoritised communities, particularly new migrants, in South Wales. Operating out of Swansea, where 11% of the population are from ethically minoritised backgrounds, the organisation provides support and training to boost individuals’ entrepreneurship and employability – helping them to unlock their ‘Welsh Dream’! The roughly 500 people the Centre helps each year come from a broad range of backgrounds and circumstances, and CAE provides a holistic service to take account of this. For instance, some individuals may need business mentoring or job search  support, while others need help with housing or mental health, or even basic needs like services from a food bank. As well as building better outcomes for individuals, CAE’s services contribute to reduced discrimination and improved integration and cohesion at the community level.

REFURBISHMENT PROJECT

In 2022, the CAE purchased a three-story building in Swansea’s Regeneration Zone to  create a home and hub for migrants looking to build businesses, develop their skills, and support their wellbeing. This decision grew out of a wide-ranging consultation with local communities. Responses highlighted the financial hardship faced by many local  residents, their desire to change this, and their need for a welcoming, supportive physical space where they could work towards new skills, jobs, and economic security. 

The consultation informed CAE’s vision for the Hub. The project aimed to enable the organisation to expand the support it offers, embedding migrant entrepreneurship and employment as a visible part of Swansea’s economy and society.  

We committed £100,000 to the refurbishment of the building CAE purchased, helping to create a community café, training and co-working spaces, and a green roof.

“A vibrant, central meeting space where diverse communities are empowered to achieve their Welsh Dream – the first Hub of its kind in Wales, by the community, for the community!” CAE CEO & Founder, Franck Banza.

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