Developing on a small scale can help the masses on a large scale.
What the economic development sector needs…
Encourage entrepreneurship: Encourage entrepreneurship through training and support programs, such as incubators and accelerators, that can help entrepreneurs develop their skills, networks, and businesses.
Improve access to finance: Expand access to finance through microfinance institutions, crowdfunding platforms, and other mechanisms that can provide small businesses with the capital they need to start and grow.
Improve infrastructure: Develop and maintain infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and electricity grids, to support the growth of businesses and enable them to access markets and customers.
Promote trade: Promote regional trade by reducing barriers to trade, such as tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and creating a more conducive environment for cross-border commerce.
Strengthen institutions: Strengthen institutions such as the judiciary, regulatory agencies, and law enforcement to promote transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
Encourage innovation: Encourage innovation and technology transfer by investing in research and development and building partnerships with universities and research institutions.
Improve education: Improve access to education and training, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, to equip young people with the skills they need to participate in the modern economy.
Some of the current obstacles to developing small-scale economies in Africa include inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, political instability, and weak institutions. Addressing these obstacles will require a multi-faceted approach that involves government policies, private sector investment, and international support.
Our areas of impact
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Entrepreneurship
It all begins with an idea. There are many individuals who want to launch a business. Maybe simply to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe a desire to share a creative project with the rest of the world. Whatever it is, we want to help those brave minds develop the skills and tools to succeed and bring opportunity to their environment.
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Funding
With many different small business ideas as a result of our business training, we seek to fund and kick start these businesses. We look for business partners who will help us support a number of small businesses each year. Whether the funding comes through us, one of our partners or another avenue, we make sure the business is well prepared to manage the finances responsibly.
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Network
By building partnerships and networks the business sector can support itself. We want to give financial access to start ups and leverage resources to accelerate growth and not need to rely on access from international aid.
Our work in Senegal
A project working alongside Mercy Ships Global. Our project has sought to equip 200 individuals with the means to set up their own business or find work in the marketplace in Senegal.
After providing training opportunities to all 200 local workers, some have decided to take further steps towards entrepreneurship or preparing for the market place.
We were able to place 70 of these locals into new employment and of the remainder we were able to training 93 in a specifically designed grassroots entrepreneurship course.
As of July 2025, we are supporting 4 businesses each generating revenue.
Here is a full report of the project.
“The support of Valley Orchard Group was crucial in launching my project. They assisted me in several areas, which was a huge relief and enabled me to realise my entrepreneurial dream…Today, I am seeing encouraging growth, both in terms of my turnover and my customer base. This growth motivates me even more to continue on this path with commitment and determination. .”
Diatta Sene
“It allowed me to structure this dream. To turn it into a real offer. To have an identity, an image. It gave me strength and clarity. I have better presented content. A clearer strategy. And above all, the confidence to say out loud: I am an entrepreneur.”
Seynabou Diop
“The funding and training I received was crucial. It enabled me to:
Understand how to manage a business as a beginner;
Achieve a certain degree of financial independence;
And create value locally, particularly by providing income opportunities for women in the community.”
Babacar Ndao
