Projects

Democratic Republic of Congo Project:  April 2018–Present

Project YALI Business Forum – Youth & Women Entrepreneurship Initiative 

Project Lead: Leonard Tshitenge

Project co-Lead Tresor Konji

Partners: U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, YALI Eastern DRC Chapter, Venture Café Cambridge (Massachusetts)

On August 27, 2025, Leonard Tshitenge co-organized the Remote  YALI Business Forum, a cross-border entrepreneurship and leadership event delivered in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the DRC, the YALI Eastern DRC Chapter, and Venture Café Cambridge.

This forum convened 67 Congolese youth and entrepreneurs from Kinshasa and across the Democratic Republic of Congo, representing diverse sectors, including agribusiness, informbusiness innovatation technologyion.

The event w, health, education, tourism, creative industries, and small-as part of Leonard’s ongoing initiative (2018–present) to spotlight youth and women entrepreneurs, expand acces U.S. Congo netws to training, aorks. Through wond strengthenrkshops, business clinics, and cultural exchange sessions, participants gained practical skills, market insights, and new partnerships designed to support local development and international collaboration.

This long-term effort continues to build entrepreneurial capacity, elevate women and youth leadership, and bridge ecosystems between the DRC, the U.S., and global innovation hubs

Burkina Faso Project :  May 2025 - Present

Project Lead: Leonard Tshitenge
Project Co-Lead (Burkina Faso): Seny Ganemtore
Partner: Burkina Faso Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Project Focus
This project highlights Burkina Faso’s strategic investment roadmap under the national Offensive Agropastorale (2023–2025), positioning the country as a high-impact market for food sovereignty, job creation, and value-chain modernization.

Key Investment Sectors

• Cashew Processing: Converting up to 400,000 tons of cashew apples annually—currently 90% wasted—into juice, wine, and industrial alcohol.

• Tomato Manufacturing: Developing local processing facilities to replace approximately $8 million in annual tomato puree imports.

• Value-Added Exports: Transforming raw shea butter into pharma-grade products and raw hides into finished leather goods.

• Livestock & Dairy: Investing in modern abattoirs, cold-chain logistics, and dairy processing plants to meet growing urban demand.

Why Invest

• Incentives: Access to 5-year tax holidays, duty-free machinery imports, and public–private co-funding mechanisms.

• High Returns: Estimated 15–25% ROI through import substitution and exports to over 100 million consumers across the ECOWAS region.

• Global Innovation Partnerships: Collaboration opportunities with Massachusetts-based institutions such as MIT and MassChallenge on ag-tech, AI-driven logistics, and solar-powered food systems.

Who This Is For
Impact investors, agri-food entrepreneurs, and technology partners seeking scalable, inclusive investment opportunitiesin West Africa.

 Senegal  Project: October 2024 - Present

Project Lead: Leonard Tshitenge
Project Co-Leads : Dethie Ndiaye and Akou Diabakhate

Project Focus
This ongoing collaboration connects Dakar, Senegal with the Boston innovation and business ecosystem, advancing opportunities in trade, investment, small-business development, and cross-border collaboration.

Key Highlights

• Boston–Dakar Trade & Investment Bridge: Strengthening commercial ties between U.S. and Senegalese entrepreneurs and institutions.

• Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Supporting SMEs through market access, partnership development, and ecosystem navigation.

• Public–Private Collaboration: Conducted in partnership with the City of Boston Global Affairs Office.

• Delegation-Led Engagement: Launched through the October 2024 Senegalese delegation visit to Boston, coordinated by Leonard Tshitenge with trusted liaisons Dethie Ndiaye and Akou Diabakhate

Côte d’Ivoire  Project :  May 2025 - Present

Project Lead: Leonard Tshitenge
Project Co-Lead: Ashley Guibi serves as Consultant Associate Intern at Consciously Exposed Consulting, supporting market research, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination.

Project Focus
This ongoing project positions Côte d’Ivoire as a strategic gateway to Francophone West Africa, highlighting how Boston’s innovation ecosystem aligns with regional market needs across trade, logistics, agriculture, arts/culture,  energy, healthcare, and education.

Key Highlights

• Abidjan Logistics & Trade Hub: Advancing opportunities in port innovation, digital logistics, and supply-chain technology.

• Agribusiness & Energy Potential: Identifying scalable opportunities in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.

• Boston–West Africa Alignment: Connecting Massachusetts-based institutions and sectors to Côte d’Ivoire’s growth priorities.

• Market Navigation & Collaboration: Supporting culturally informed market entry, stakeholder engagement, and cross-border collaboration